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Alejandro Garnacho shares two-word verdict on Kobbie Mainoo after Manchester United’s Europa League comeback

Kobbie Mainoo made his presence felt as the midfielder came off the bench to help Manchester United beat Lyon on Thursday night.

Manchester United fans are probably still coming down from the euphoria of Thursday night’s comeback.

United drew 2-2 at Lyon in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-finals, but fans were confident of a home win in the second leg.

Ruben Amorim’s side managed to squander a 2-0 lead and actually fell 4-2 down in injury time – against 10 men.

All hope seemed lost, but United found three goals in seven minutes with Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire finding the net.

United won 5-4 on the night to book a semi-final date with Athletic Club, with this going down as one of the most memorable European nights at Old Trafford.

Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images

Kobbie Mainoo message to Joshua Zirkzee

United looked dead and buried but roared back to secure the victory in crazy fashion.

Substitute Mainoo sent Old Trafford wild with his equaliser, dipping back onto his right foot before curling the ball home.

Mainoo’s goal looked eerily similar to his strike against Liverpool last season, and this is a great reminder of his quality.

Mainoo took to Instagram after the final whistle to share a photo of his gun-finger celebration – just like Joshua Zirkzee.

Zirkzee watched from the stands as he sits out with a hamstring injury suffered against Newcastle United on Sunday.

Mainoo paid tribute to the Dutchman, though, stating ‘sending love to my shooter’ whilst tagging Zirkzee.

The United midfielder clearly had Zirkzee on his mind after his shot found the net, and wanted to show his influence as Old Trafford went absolutely wild.

Manchester United players respond to Kobbie Mainoo

Mainoo received responses from United teammates, including Zirkzee as he responded with ‘general’.

Leny Yoro simply stated ‘cold’ whilst Alejandro Garnacho said ‘world class’ after seeing Mainoo’s brilliant finish.

Garnacho was a livewire all night and showed a brilliant piece of skill to set up Manuel Ugarte’s opener.

The Argentinian posed a threat on the counter but squandered a golden chance to make it 3-0 in the second half.

Garnacho certainly loved Mainoo’s goal, but may have also felt a sense of relief as his missed chance didn’t cost United in the end.

Harry Amass called Mainoo ‘magic’, with Ethan Wheatley describing Mainoo as ‘unreal’.

This hasn’t been the season of progress we all expected for Mainoo, but the quality is definitely still in his locker.

United want to keep Mainoo and tie him down to a new contract, with Thursday’s goal certainly aiding his cause for a fresh deal at Old Trafford.

We still have plenty of faith in Mainoo and his potential, with his United teammates seemingly feeling the same way.