The 18-year-old midfielder is “loved to madness” by manager Erik Ten Hag, according to Red Devils fans.

Declan Rice of Arsenal, who cost a reported £105 million, was subdued in his debut after joining from West Ham.

And United supporters are convinced that with a breakout season in the Premier League spotlight, Mainoo can bring his New Jersey delights to the Theatre of Dreams.

“Kobbie Mainoo vs. Arsenal,” read one. We are dealing with a unique player. A different person said: “Seriously though, we’ve got a rҽal talent on our hands in Mainoo.”

Additionally, a third admirer posted: “Mainoo showing us how to cook Rice.” As if that weren’t enough to ponder.

“Going straight to the top” and “Rҽally a future star growing for both United & England” were other similar judgments.

However, Mainoo is also qualified for Ghana despite having three Under-19 caps for the Three Lions. But as yet another academy product left this summer, supporters were mostly worried that he is still making progress at the club level.

Can understand why (Charlie) Savage & (Zidane) Iqbal were permitted to leave, one person wrote. They looked fantastic during the preseason, but this young man appears to be at a higher level.

 

Others believe Mainoo will help United avoid paying a significant transfer fee in the final weeks of the window.

Casemiro, a defensive midfielder for whom Ten Hag apparently wants top-notch backup, took over for the teenager in the second half of the match against the Gunners.

Sofyan Amrabat of Fiorentina has been associated with the Red Devils in particular.

One fan, though, countered, saying, “We might not need Amrabat at all cus of Mainoo.”