Fans claim Erik ten Hag “unlocked a cheat code” with Kobbie Mainoo’s storming display in Manchester United’s 3-0 win at Everton.

Viewers rated the Englishman, 18, as the midfielder United “hoped Sofyan Amrabat would be” and “exactly like prime Paul Pogba”.

Kobbie Mainoo looked at home as her played the first 72 minutes for Man Utd before Sofyan Amrabat replaced him Credit: Getty

Mainoo’s hard-working display impressed Red Devils’ fans

Supporters raved over Mainoo’s incredible “maturity” for a player so young and in a Premier League clash so frenetic.

That earned rare praise for Red Devils’ boss Ten Hag over what might have been seen as a bold selection.

His England Under-19 starlet was plunged in at Goodison Park only a month after returning to training following a pre-season injury.

But one fan posted: “Mainoo doesn’t just look like a cheat code in build-up – attributes I don’t even think United are using that much – he also looks like he has excellent defensive awareness.”

Another wrote: “Mainoo is what we thought Amrabat would be.”

And many of the plaudits were for the academy product’s calm authority aside experienced midfielders in Scott McTominay and Bruno Fernandes.

“The level of maturity Mainoo plays with is unbelievable,” claimed one fan.

Another added: “Mainoo moves like a seasoned midfielder. Rare trait.”

The teenager also earned a surprise comparison with French World Cup winner Pogba, whose second spell at Old Trafford ended in 2022 with a return to Juventus.

One Red Devils’ supporter argued: “Kobbie Mainoo is playing exactly like prime Paul Pogba.”

The Stockport-born prospect eventually came off on 72 minutes, with Amrabat coming on.

United were 2-0 up at the time through Alejandro Garnacho’s special overhead kick and a Marcus Rashford penalty.

Anthony Martial then lifted the final goal three minutes soon after Amrabat’s arrival.

Mainoo can be pleased with his major role in victory Credit: Getty