Erik ten Hag heaped praised on Kobbie Mainoo after the teenage star’s stunning stoppage-time winner sealed Manchester United a needlessly stressful 4-3 win at Wolves.
The misfiring Red Devils produced their best first half performance of the season at Molineux, where Marcus Rashford struck inside five minutes of his first match since last week’s reported Belfast escapades.
The returning star then played a part in Rasmus Hojlund’s bundled second, before United bounced back as substitute Scott McTominay scored shortly after Pablo Sarabia had converted a softly-awarded penalty.
Kobbie Time 😃 pic.twitter.com/UtWAEdff71
— Marcus Rashford (@MarcusRashford) February 1, 2024
But United wobbled and looked set to blow a much-needed win as Max Kilman scored before Pedro Neto equalised in stoppage time, only for Mainoo’s moment of magic.
The 18-year-old showed skill and courage to take on the Wolves backline, before bending home to win it at the death and spark wild United celebrations.
“To be honest, I had mixed feelings,” boss Ten Hag said after the breathless clash. “One side very pleased, of course it’s a massive win this.
“I think for a neutral fan, spectator of this game, it was great to see but as a manager when you see you dominate a game for an hour, you should go 3 or 4-0 by the hour, because we had the chances and we conceded nothing.
“But then the way we concede the goals we should manage that better on the pitch, this can’t happen.
“But then you see the spirit of the team and the resilience and especially in Kobbie Mainoo, that is great to see.
Ice in his veins.#MUFC || #WOLMUN pic.twitter.com/tlHM5ws4ZR
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 1, 2024
“We have the right character, the spirit in the dressing room is very good when you can show this.”
Mainoo was part of the United team that won the FA Youth Cup in 2022 and caught the attention of Ten Hag shortly after he arrived that summer.
The midfielder has made 13 appearances so far this term and would have played more had it not been for an unfortunate injury sustained against Real Madrid in a Houston pre-season friendly.
“I think very quickly I saw him,” Ten Hag said. “I think last autumn I saw him for the first time and at that moment I thought he was playing a little bit too comfortable in the Under-21s, he should be much more dominant.
“We pushed him a lot by that side, by pushing him in training and you see he makes such good progress and he is almost progressing from game to game.
“And of course, it’s wonderful to see and I hope he stays calm like he is, as he did with his goal as well.
⚪️ 5'' – Wolves 0-1 Man Utd⚪️ 22'' – Wolves 0-2 Man Utd🐺 71'' – Wolves 1-2 Man Utd⚪️ 75'' – Wolves 1-3 Man Utd🐺 85'' – Wolves 2-3 Man Utd🐺 90+5'' – Wolves 3-3 Man Utd⚪️ 90+7'' – Wolves 3-4 Man Utd
Box office. 🍿 pic.twitter.com/rDlyxcLvvS
— Premier League (@premierleague) February 1, 2024
“He is determined, he is a good character and I hope he keeps going with this progress.”
Ten Hag also praised Rashford as the United forward produced an impressive response to days of negative headlines and an internal disciplinary.
“I think the whole team played very good, Rashy as well,” the Dutchman said.
“Maybe you know that, you see the last games, there is coming about in the front line and if they get the service in the back they are a threat for every opposition.”
As for opposition manager Gary O’Neil, the last-gasp defeat was compounded by Wolves’ inability to bring in a striker on deadline day.
They made an approach for Chelsea’s Armando Broja but could not make the loan signing within the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules, with the striker instead heading to Fulham.
“We couldn’t afford to do it financially, where it ended up,” O’Neil said.
“But we haven’t been deducted 10 points, we’re still together, we’re still putting in performances that show we’re all together. We’ll try and keep it moving that way.”
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. When Gerrard meet "Pong Kapol" The legend On this day / Do you remember this goal? Jack Grealish left out of Man City's Club World Cup squad JUST APPRECIATE THE GOATNESS The GREATEST SUPER SUB of All Time is.. Cristiano Ronaldo at 40 vs Wayne Rooney at 38… Only in India Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoon...
Arsenal want to sign a new left winger this summer, but their chances of signing one of their desired targets could be slipping away after recent developments.Mikel Arteta wants a striker and left winger to revitalise his attack ahead of the 2025-26 season, and while there has been much focus on the former, there is just as much desire to sign someone to compete with Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro...
Aston Villa want to keep Morgan RogerAston Villa could be in store for a tricky summer because of PSR issues, and there are chances for important players to be sold. But at this stage, there are zero plans to consider any offers for their standout performer from the 2024-25 season.In recent weeks, a number of Aston Villa players have been linked with moves – especially to clubs in the Premie...
Manchester United are rumoured to have rekindled their interest in Napoli's Victor Osimhen but still face a major obstacle.Nigerian striker's loan with Galatasary endedPrevious reports suggest Al-Hilal agreementLofty wages could block United approachWHAT HAPPENED?A report by Footmercato has linked the Red Devils with a sensational move for the Nigerian striker. United have opened discussions with ...
Barcelona hold talks with Williams as Yamal teases link-upBarcelona sporting director Deco reportedly met up with Nico Williams' agent in a bid to reignite their interest in the Athletic Club winger.Barcelona have reopened talks with Williams' camp, including his agent Felix Tainta, per Spanish publication Sport, with Deco leading efforts to lure the 22-year-old away from Athletic Club. The Spanis...
Wolverhampton Wanderers FC v Brentford FC - Premier LeagueManchester United target Bryan Mbeumo's was the Premier League's most clinical goalscorer in the 2024-25 season according to xG.West Ham United FC v Nottingham Forest FC - Premier LeagueWHAT HAPPENED?An analysis of the Premier League's xG data by Grosvenor Sport reveals Mbuemo's tally of 20 league goals came from chances that should have ge...
A fascinating transfer battle is emerging for Brentford winger Bryan Mbeumo (Image: Getty)Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly made a £70million bid to outmuscle Manchester United for Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo.The offer from the north London club is said to be worth £65million plus an additional £5million in add-ons, which is £10million more than what United offered.As report...
Matheus Cunha isn't a natural striker. (Image: Getty)Manchester United started their mammoth summer rebuild by completing the £62.5million signing of Matheus Cunha on Thursday. Ruben Amorim is significantly upgrading his attack with the 26-year-old's arrival, and Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo should have the same impact if he follows suit.However, neither player will address arguably the big...
HERZOGENAURACH, GERMANY - JUNE 03: Florian Wirtz of Germany looks on during a team Germany training session at Herzo-Base on June 03, 2025 in Herzogenaurach, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images) (Image: Alexander Hassenstein, Getty Images)Liverpool are set to break the British transfer record by signing Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen for a staggering £116m.After a deal ...
Referees will wear eye-level cameras at the Club World Cup (Image: The Associated Press)Referees at the Club World Cup are set to wear eye-level cameras, offering fans a unique glimpse into the on-pitch action. Well... not quite. FIFA has unveiled plans to roll out this tech at the expanded tournament starting in Miami on Saturday. However, it seems the move is geared more towards spicing up TV br...
- 1 Portugal vs France Prediction 12 June 2025
- 2 Bryan Mbeumo 'picks between Man Utd and Tottenham' as transfer agreement struck
- 3 Bayer Leverkusen interested in shock move for Jack Grealish
- 4 England player ratings vs Andorra: Cole Palmer disappoints as Kane bails out Tuchel
- 5 Brazil vs Paraguay Prediction 11 June 2025
- 6 Daily Laugh - Morata : Me again?
- 7 Harvey Elliott opens door to Liverpool exit
- 8 Bonnie Blue banned from adult site as controversial stunt 'crossed the line'
- 9 Osimhen decides on Saudi move
- 10 Transfer news: Jadon Sancho announces move as Liverpool confirm deal