Manchester United beat Newcastle on Wednesday night and in the process, Kobbie Mainoo has equalled something only Paul Scholes has done.
It was a nice way to end a poor season, winning at Old Trafford against a side who’d won 3-0 here earlier in the season.
Manchester United fought to win the game 3-2 and despite some scary moments, mostly the performance was good and deserved three points.
Amad Diallo grabbed a goal and an assist while Kobbie Mainoo scored along with Rasmus Hojlund.
But it’s Mainoo who’s now achieved something only one other United teenage midfielder has done, that being the legendary Paul Scholes.
Mainoo has now joined Scholes in doing something impressive
The goal against the Magpies was Mainoo’s simplest of the season, with his others being that wonderous striker against Wolves and another worldie against Liverpool.
It was his third Premier League goal of the season and in doing so, he joined an elite company.
Mainoo became only the second teenage midfielder to score three or more in the Premier League for United.
This sees him join legendary red devil, Scholes, who scored five in the 1994/95 season and will only continue to see parallels drawn between the two phenoms.
In all competitions this season, Mainoo has four goals and an assist, which is an excellent return for a central midfielder in his first half-season of senior football.
Looking forward, this is probably something which will only improve, as United must prioritise handing Mainoo a partner this summer to help him thrive.
This shows Manchester United where priorities should lie
In the summer, we all know that United have multiple positions which need to be strengthened, but signing a defensive midfielder must be of paramount importance.
Mainoo had something of a slump during the really poor form during April, but since he’s been paired with a competent number six in Sofyan Amrabat, things have improved all around.
He has been given the freedom to do what he does well, being an all-action number eight, while Amrabat sits deep and does the defensive work and initiates phases of play.
So this summer, United must look at getting a top tier number six to partner with Mainoo so that he’s able to fulfil his unlimited potential.
Frankly, it’s surprising that Amrabat isn’t being kept at this point.
