What Man Utd fans think of Kobbie Mainoo’s display in Carabao Cup defeat to Grimsby

Mainoo was paired with Manuel Ugarte in a two-man midfield pivot, offering some balance to the side. Despite the slow start, United fans took to social media to point out his influence, even as the team struggled.

One supporter posted: “Almost as if Mainoo is a quality player and one of the best in our squad.”

Another added: “Mainoo is our best player on the ball and it’s not particularly close. The only person who even resembles a United player here.”

A third wrote: “Mainoo [has] been our best player today.”

While another tweeted: “Mainoo has been our best player. Only positive.”

Elsewhere, another said: “Mainoo is comfortably the best player on the pitch and I’m not even biased, it’s the truth.”

“Mainoo has been our best player today, LOL,” somebody else suggested.

A seventh X user commented: “Kobbie Mainoo has by a distance been [Man] Utd’s best player and easily the most technically gifted on the pitch.”

Main talking points from Manchester United’s Carabao Cup loss to Grimsby Town at Blundell Park

On Wednesday, Grimsby shocked United in the first half of their Carabao Cup match, with Charles Vernam’s goal putting the League Two side ahead.

The hosts doubled their lead just eight minutes later when Tyrell Warren capitalised on an error from Andre Onana. The United goalkeeper failed to clear a cross properly, leaving Warren with an easy finish to put Grimsby 2-0 up.

Mbeumo came off the bench and made an immediate impact for United, finding space inside the box before finishing well past Harvey Cartwright. The goal sparked some hope for Ruben Amorim’s side heading into the final stages of normal time.

Harry Maguire later scored to level the match at 2-2, sending it to penalties, where League Two side Grimsby held their nerve to progress to the third round of this year’s competition.