Mainoo earns Seedorf comparison, calls winning goal ‘dream come true’

Kobbie Mainoo has described his match-winning goal for Manchester United as a “dream come true”, with Rio Ferdinand comparing him favourably to a great of the game.

It was a goal worthy of winning a match as, deep in stoppage time after Wolves had grabbed a leveller, Mainoo cut inside from the left-hand side, slalomed his way towards the penalty area before curling a wondrous shot into the far corner to seal a 4-3 win.

The goal sparked wild celebrations and lifted United up to seventh in the Premier League table.

Mainoo savoured the moment with his team-mates before sharing his thoughts with TNT Sports.

“It is a dream come true,” the 18-year-old said. “It is such a tough place to come, they have had a good home run here.

“I have still not come down from it, I still feel like I am dreaming.

“To start playing in the Premier League for my boyhood club has been amazing. I am just trying to get a good run of games in and win more games.”

Bruno Fernandes was alongside Mainoo and said he had been aware of the midfielder’s qualities for some time.

“He is a big talent,” Bruno said. “I have said it in the past.

“I have seen him playing in the Under-18s, I think two or three years ago, and I said to a friend who was in Manchester and wanted to see some youth games. I said at the time the name of Kobbie.

“Without knowing that he was going to be this talent and this player, the talent was there. He will be the future.”

Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag described Mainoo as the complete midfield player with the skillset to flourish in the attacking and defensive areas.

“He is making incredible progress,” Ten Hag said. “He has great abilities.

“He is the modern midfield player. He can attack, he can defend. He has the intelligence to do both but also the physicality, and he is also composed.”

Mainoo’s goal drew high praise from Rio Ferdinand, who likened the midfielder to a great of a previous generation.

Ferdinand said: “I am not saying he is the same ability or that player yet, but there are signs, he gives me vibes of Clarence Seedorf the way he can manoeuvre in tight situations, and the way he manipulates the ball, uses his body at times and shifts it.

“He is elusive at times as well, and the awareness to pick his spot. There are some players who see headlights and back pages, but he just caressed it.”

TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing, NBA and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination. You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.