Man Utd fans have lot to say about Kobbie Mainoo after return performance vs Lyon, he 'was better' than one teammate

Manchester United fans have dropped a clear-cut reaction to Kobbie Mainoo’s performance against Lyon in the Europa League after his return from injury.

The Red Devils travelled to France and Lyon hosted Manchester United at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais for the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final encounter.

Andre Onana’s howler in the first half allowed Thiago Almada to squeeze a direct free-kick past the United shot-stopper and put Lyon in the lead in the 25th minute.

United managed to climb back into the Europa League contest before half-time after Leny Yoro turned in a superb header from a first-time strike from Manuel Ugarte.

The Red Devils came close to sealing the win on Thursday evening in France after Joshua Zirkzee climbed off the bench and broke the deadlock in the 88th minute.

However, Ruben Amorim’s men had to settle for a draw in the Europa League after Lyon found a crucial equaliser against United deep into second-half injury time.

Georges Mikautadze fired a powerful strike towards Andre Onana and the United No 1 pushed the ball into the path of Rayan Cherki, who slotted home from close range.

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What Man Utd fans said about Kobbie Mainoo’s cameo display for the Red Devils in the 2-2 draw against Lyon in the Europa League

Kobbie Mainoo made his long-awaited return for Manchester United after he came off the bench in the 83rd minute and replaced Alejandro Garnacho for the match.

The 19-year-old midfielder has been out of action for the Red Devils due to an injury since United’s 2-1 FA Cup win over Leicester City in the FA Cup at Old Trafford.

Mainoo superbly linked up with Bruno Fernandes late in the second half before the United and Portugal midfielder chipped a superb ball for Joshua Zirkzee’s header.

United fans on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, praised the England midfielder for his impact during his short cameo performance on Thursday.

Other supporters said that Mainoo is perfect for the No 10 role in Ruben Amorim’s United tactical system and he offered more than what Alejandro Garnacho did.

One X user wrote: “Mainoo came on, and we immediately started to play football!”

Another Red Devils fan said: “Kobbie Mainoo’s cameo was so good. Did more in 10 mins than what Garnacho managed to do in 80.”

Somebody else commented: “Kobbie Mainoo in the [number] ten role. Hoping he gets his fitness up and a run of games in that role. In this system, I think that’s the role that suits him best… looking forward to seeing what he can do higher up…”

“I missed Mainoo so much man,” a fourth United supporter tweeted.

While a fifth said: “Mainoo came back and I saw sweet, simple football for at least few minutes. Wish he took that shot [the] first time to try [and] score. I’ve missed my boy!”

“Mainoo was providing more balance on that RW than Garnacho did all game,” someone else suggested.

And a seventh claimed: “Kobbie Mainoo has been out for weeks and was better than anything Garnacho has been for us.”

“On the plus side, Mainoo coming back is a blessing. He is made to play in that 10 role,” another posted.

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Ruben Amorim’s telling reaction to Man Utd blowing their crucial lead over Lyon in the Europa League clash at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais

Speaking after the 1-1 first-leg Europa League draw, United manager Amorim admitted that the Red Devils wasted their advantage after a hard-fought contest.

“We are really disappointed [to concede late],” he told TNT Sports, as per BBC Sport.

“We should have taken a one-goal advantage to the next game but we have the next game at home – we will try to win that game.”

United will now host Lyon for their important return-leg tie in the quarter-finals on 17th April, with kick-off slated for 8pm UK time at Old Trafford.

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