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Featured Image Credit: ITV
Topics: Manchester United, Liverpool, Premier League, England, Gareth Southgate, Kobbie Mainoo, Scott Mctominay, Fan Reactions
Chris Byfield
Topics: Manchester United, Liverpool, Premier League, England, Gareth Southgate, Kobbie Mainoo, Scott Mctominay, Fan Reactions
Fans are all saying the same thing about Kobbie Mainoo's first-half performance against Liverpool.
Mainoo was among United's star performances in the opening 45 minutes against Liverpool.
While the Old Trafford club claimed an early 1-0 lead through Scott McTominay, it was the Scotland international's midfield partner, Mainoo, who put in the more eye-catching displays.
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The teenager was a calm and confident presence throughout, despite his side conceding two goals on the cusp of half-time to go in at the break 2-1 down.
Mainoo's display led fans on social media to, once again, question why the youngster had been left out of the most recent England squad.
Writing on X, the social media platform formally known as Twitter, one person said: "Southgate thinks Henderson is better than Mainoo btw…"
Another said: "Imo Mainoo genuinely should be starting for England he’s that good and profile they lack. His weaknesses in awareness can be covered by Dec".
A third said: "Having watched a fair bit of Kobbie Mainoo and Jordan Henderson over the last six weeks, nothing can convince me Gareth Southgate picked the right one of the two for his latest England squad."
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A fourth said: "Kobbie Mainoo is the best English midfielder in England."
Another wrote: "You're telling me this Mainoo who's balling out against Liverpool at Old Trafford isn't ready to even be given the chance to show it for England?!"
On Thursday, Gareth Southgate named a 25-man squad to take on Brazil and Belgium in friendlies over the next fortnight, and the Three Lions boss opted to select Ajax's Jordan Henderson ahead of Mainoo.
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Explaining the decision the England manager said: "I think that he's doing brilliantly for a young player and we're never slow to put a young player into seniors.
"But he's only had a handful of games and you have to be very careful development-wise in making those decisions at the right time.
"So we think ideally, we should allow him that space to develop at his own speed. He's not at the point in terms of number of games that Jude (Bellingham) and Bukayo (Saka) were when they came in for the first time.
"But I repeat, he's doing really well for a young player. He's a good footballer, you can see that. And he's getting some fabulous experience with Manchester United at the moment. And he looks a really good character."