Kobbie Mainoo was once again one of Manchester United’s better performers against West Ham United on Saturday. But the 18-year-old midfielder was at fault for the second goal in the 2-0 defeat at the London Stadium, and his team-mates’ reaction was even more disappointing.
Mainoo is firmly in contention to become a regular starter under Erik ten Hag after a string of impressive performances in challenging away games.
He made his first Premier League start in the 3-0 win at Everton and was also named in Ten Hag’s side at Galatasaray, Newcastle United, Liverpool and, this weekend, West Ham.
Mainoo was one of the shining lights in another flat United performance in the capital, acting as the single pivot behind advanced midfielders Scott McTominay and Bruno Fernandes.
The Stockport-born academy graduate recorded an 89 per cent completion rate from 73 passes, took 86 touches, won nine of his 11 duels, made five tackles, and created a chance.
But Mainoo’s performance faltered in the 78th minute when he miscontrolled a Jonny Evans pass, sparking the counter-attack that doubled West Ham’s lead through Mohammed Kudus.
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And he was visibly frustrated with his role in the move, biting his white shirt with a pained look on his face as Kudus wheeled away in jubilation.
As the youngest player in United’s squad – and the future of the midfield – Mainoo could have done with his team-mates making an effort to rally him on after the error.
But presenter Mark Chapman slammed the visitors after full-time, having noticed that the only player to comfort Mainoo was 19-year-old debutant Willy Kambwala.
“I’m just watching the TV pictures of the aftermath, and he took it well, did Kudus,” Chapman said on BBC Radio 5 Live.
“But the ball was given away by Kobbie Mainoo, and that can happen to a young player. It just rolled under his foot. He’s there biting his shirt, knowing that he’s the one who has made the mistake.
“And the player that goes up to him to give him a little tap and go ‘right, come on’ is Kambwala, the centre-half who is 19 and is making his debut. Not one of the senior players… the young lad who is making his debut!”
Kambwala was a surprise starter, with United’s first four centre-backs all absent. The young Frenchman didn’t put much of a foot wrong, and his gesture to his long-term friend through the ranks showed his true character.
The same can be said for the several senior players who didn’t get behind Mainoo after the blunder, perhaps speaking volumes of the current mindset in a dressing room in disarray.
