Kobbie Mainoo made an immediate impact on his first Premier League start against Everton but he isn’t the only Manchester United star to cause a splash early in his career
Kobbie Mainoo is the talk of Manchester United after he produced a classy display that defied his age on his first Premier League start.
The 18-year-old has been tipped for big things, but a pre-season injury set him back this term. At Everton though he showed what the hype is about with an assured performance at the base of midfield. He showed composure in possession and a real understanding of the game out of it.
United fans have been treated to a fair few memorable debuts in their time, and although he made a substitute appearance in the top flight for the Red Devils in February, this showing at Goodison Park could prove to be the start of something special. Young players often have that no fear approach that can galvanise their older colleagues and bring a sense of excitement.
Mainoo will have been too young to remember some of the memorable debutants over the years, but we’ve taken a trip down memory lane to take a look at those who captured the attention on their first outings in red.
Wayne Rooney
For context, Mainoo was not born when Rooney announced himself to Old Trafford in brilliant fashion back in 2004. United had secured his signature in the aftermath of Euro 2004, in which the teenage sensation announced himself to the footballing world. An injury though delayed his United debut.
It would come on a Champions League night as the Red Devils hosted Fenerbahce. He needed 17 minutes to open his account with a neat finish before he rifled home from 20 yards on the half hour to double his tally for the night.
He stood over a free-kick on 54 minutes with a sense of inevitability about it as his curled effort hit the back of the net. Rooney reeled away and stood triumphant in front of the Stretford End – the first three of 253 goals had been scored by the man who would go on to become the club’s record goalscorer.
Marcus Rashford
Another man to excel on a European night. This time in 2016 against Midtjylland. Rashford was named as a substitute on the team sheet but got promoted to the starting line-up after Anthony Martial injured his hamstring in the warm-up. It was an opportunity he would not pass up.
United trailed 2-1 from their first-leg encounter and then conceded first to give themselves even more to do. Come the end of the night though they’d scored five to easily progress with Rashford netting twice in 12 second-half minutes to make the game safe. Both his goals were smart finishes and within weeks he was leading the line for the club.
Federico Macheda
It remains one of Martin Tyler’s most iconic pieces of commentary. All he did was shout the Italian’s name but that segment is etched into United and Premier League history. Sir Alex Ferguson called upon the unknown forward in the midst of a hotly contested title race as they desperately sought a winner against Aston Villa
With the game tied at 2-2- Macheda received the ball with his back to goal, a clever first touch bought him a yard and his curled effort evaded the clutches of Brad Friedel. The Italian reeled away towards the tunnel by the Stretford End, as if he knew exactly where the cameras were as he and his United team-mates celebrated emotionally three minutes into stoppage time.
Anthony Martial
The Frenchman was a deadline day signing by Louis van Gaal, who made Martial the most expensive teenager in football. The United boss claimed: “We need to give him time to adjust to his new environment”. Martial clearly didn’t agree. United’s next match was at home to Liverpool and Martial was introduced after 65 minutes.
Van Gaal clearly didn’t want people to expect too much too soon, but his young star ensured that excitement would reach fever pitch with a sensational solo goal.
With United 2-1 up and the game approaching its conclusion Martial picked up the ball on the left and immediately went at Martin Skrtel, turning him inside out, before finishing emphatically past Simon Mignolet.
James Wilson
United were at an incredibly low ebb towards the end of the 2013/14 season. David Moyes was sacked after less than a year, Ryan Giggs was placed in temporary charge and the club were meandering to a seventh place finish. In their final home game of the year they took on Hull.
Giggs, a man who’d come through the club’s academy, trusted in the club’s tradition and gave youngster James Wilson a chance to lead the line. The forward didn’t disappoint scoring twice – one in each half – as United eased to a 3-1 win. United fans had seen their team lose 12 times that season, but were able to end on a high with one of their own doing the business.
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