Alejandro Garnacho has issued a telling response to fans dubbing Kobbie Mainoo a future Manchester United captain.
On Boxing Day, Garnacho’s double and a late winner from £72million summer signing Rasmus Hojlund saw United complete a dramatic second-half comeback against Villa.
United had been booed off at half-time after John McGinn and Leander Dendoncker gave Unai Emery's in-form Villa a two-goal advantage.
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However, Hojlund’s first league goal in his 15th Premier League appearance helped United to a crucial victory.
Mainoo was among United’s most impressive performers against Villa, as he has been throughout the campaign, controlling the midfield in the second half to allow Erik ten Hag’s men to level the tie.
The 18-year-old was then substituted for Scott McTominay with ten minutes remaining and while making his way to the bench, he applauded the home fans before gesticulating wildly to fire up the crowd.
It was a show of leadership that had a large contingent of United fans labelling Mainoo as a future United captain.
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And it appears that even teammate Garnacho sees such potential in the midfielder.
The Argentine 'liked' a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, that labelled Mainoo as United’s future skipper.
Earlier this month, after Mainoo’s mature performance in midfield in a 0-0 draw against Liverpool, manager Ten Hag praised the youngster’s impact this season.
"If you are good enough, you are old enough and he proved that,” the impressed Dutchman said in a press conference.
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“When he gets used more often to those games, we will get even more joy from it. Because then his scanning and his speed of action, he can get such passes, three or four passes in and get switches in, and he is the player who can really hurt opponents."
United’s latest victory has seen them rise to sixth in the Premier League table.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa are rooted in third, having missed the opportunity to move level on points with table toppers Liverpool.
Topics: Alejandro Garnacho, Manchester United, Kobbie Mainoo, Premier League, Erik Ten Hag
Chris Byfield