Manchester United produced two exceptional moments of quality to go ahead against Liverpool on Sunday – but just couldn’t quite get over the line at Old Trafford.
Many United supporters have probably woken up on Monday a little confused about what to think of Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool.
The first half was genuinely terrible; no shots whilst Liverpool racked up double figures for attempts on Andre Onana’s goal and seemingly no structure in midfield.
The second half saw United force in front, producing two remarkable goals to flip the game on its head with Bruno Fernandes intercepting a wayward pass to lob Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher from the centre circle.
The technique on Bruno’s strike was incredible and a moment of real genius before Kobbie Mainoo followed suit with a stunner.
Mainoo turned and fired a strike into the top corner of the net, reminiscent of Federico Macheda’s strike against Aston Villa in 2009.
This was another example of Mainoo’s incredible talent and potential, but it wasn’t enough for the win as Mohamed Salah’s penalty rescued a point for the Reds.
Teden Mengi message to Willy Kambwala
The rise of Mainoo has been one of the bright spots of the season, but he was joined in the starting XI by another teenager on Sunday.
Defender Willy Kambwala has handed a start at centre back, partnering Harry Maguire amid a string of injuries in the heart of defence.
This was Kambwala’s second league start of the season and he equipped himself very impressively alongside Maguire.
The 19-year-old stepped up in a pressurised situation and will have hope of more starts in the games to come.
In another world, the man stepping up could have been Teden Mengi.
Mengi was a young centre back making his way at United before leaving for Luton Town last summer.
Now wanted by Bayer Leverkusen, Mengi has impressed for the Hatters and his decision to leave United has been justified.
Mengi may have left United but he has kept an eye on Kambwala and loved seeing him step up to the occasion on Sunday.
After Kambwala posted on Instagram, Mengi stated ‘so proud mon frere, keep pushing!!’
Kambwala will hopefully take Mengi’s message and really kick on at United, with Sunday’s display hopefully the start of real success for him at Old Trafford.
Luke Littler praise
Mengi wasn’t alone in his praise for Kambwala as darts sensation Luke Littler also sent his praise.
Littler – a huge United fan – commented on Kambwala’s post by saying ‘class’ alongside a brick emoji, indicating that the teenager had been a brick wall against Liverpool.
Littler has become the gold standard for teenage sporting sensations in recent months, taking the world by storm with his darting prowess.
Kambwala will have a battle on his hands to hit similar heights but a confident and composed start against Liverpool is quite the feat in itself, hopefully providing a great base for him to build on moving forward.