Kobbie Mainoo Shines: How His Winning Goal Secured Manchester United’s Historic Double Against Liverpool

[MyDaily = Reporter Noh Chan-hyeok] Manchester United academy graduate Kobbie Mainoo capped a big week — celebrating a new contract, scoring, and being named Player of the Week.

On May 3 (Korean time), Mainoo started in central midfield and played the full 90 minutes in United’s 35th-round Premier League match against Liverpool at Old Trafford, where he scored the match-winner. United prevailed 3-2 thanks to Mainoo’s decisive contribution.

United struck early, opening the scoring in the sixth minute through Matheus Cunha, and extended their lead to 2-0 when Benjamin Sesko added a second in the 14th minute, leaving United in control at the break.

But Liverpool mounted a second-half comeback. Two minutes after the restart, Dominik Szoboszlai pulled one back, and in the 11th minute a catastrophic pass from goalkeeper Jenne Rams led to Cody Gakpo’s equalizer.

With the score level at 2-2, Mainoo emerged as the hero in the 32nd minute of the second half. Luke Shaw’s cross glanced off Amad Diallo’s head and deflected off a defender; Mainoo reacted quickly and tucked a one-touch finish into the net.

That strike proved to be the winner, giving United a 3-2 victory and completing a league double over Liverpool for the first time in 10 years. The win moved United to 64 points and secured their place in next season’s UEFA Champions League.

Following the match, the Premier League named Mainoo its official Player of the Match and on May 6 selected him as the Player of the Week for Round 35.

The league praised Mainoo’s bright display and match-winning goal, saying he was instrumental in United’s thrilling victory and noting that the result helped secure United’s Champions League berth for next season.

The Premier League also highlighted that Mainoo, who signed a long-term contract with United through 2031 last week, has started 12 of the 13 matches under interim manager Michael Carrick since Carrick took charge in January.

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