Erik ten Hag & Roy Keane give Kobbie Mainoo verdict after Man Utd midfielder stars in Everton win

Erik ten Hag, Roy Keane and Bruno Fernandes praised Kobbie Mainoo’s impressive display at Goodison Park as the Manchester United midfielder played a starring role in the 3-0 win over Everton.

Alejandro Garnacho may have scored a spectacular overhead kick on Sunday, with Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial also on target, but it was Mainoo who earned the most plaudits against the Toffees.

The youngster started his first Premier League game and helped knit together United’s play from the base of midfield, while allowing Scott McTominay and Bruno Fernandes to advance. Mainoo’s outstanding performance was made even more impressive given it was his first senior appearance this season following an ankle injury he sustained in July.

Ten Hag took his time to introduce the youngster into the side this season after that long-term absence, and with Casemiro, Christian Eriksen and Mason Mount unavailable against Everton, he felt it was the right time to introduce Mainoo.

“He has a lot of abilities and it was a really disappointing moment in pre-season when he got so badly injured,” said Ten Hag. “For him but also for our team because I know he can progress a lot if he plays many of such games as today. 

“I know young players will develop very quickly and we thought it was the moment to bring him in, we prepared him properly but he did a great job and now he has to build on this.”

Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Fernandes also offered a similarly glowing assessment. “A great match. For me, he is the man of the match. He put in a great performance.

"He is comfortable with the ball and never makes a mistake. For his age he has so much qualities. He sees things before others.”

“He was outstanding,” Roy Keane added. “He looked like a Manchester United player today. Nice and brave, a lot of courage.”