The FA Cup is almost two weeks in the background but the scent of that victory is still fresh in Manchester United fans’ minds.
It was a poetic victory in the sense that the goals were scored by two success stories of United’s famed academy in Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo.
Garnacho came to United at the age of 16 but Mainoo is Carrington through and through.
The whole season for him was a rocket launch towards superstardom but his performance in the final sealed his spot as a superstar for the here, now, as well as the future.
Now, his rise has been cemented with another award, this time the FA Cup Player of the Season award voted on by the fans.
Introducing your #EmiratesFACup Player of the Season as voted for by you, the fans…@ManUtd‘s Kobbie Mainoo! 🌟 pic.twitter.com/5GsRBZnLM2
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) June 5, 2024
Mainoo was man of the match in the final but even before the marquee game, he was a crucial piece of the puzzle.
Erik ten Hag has already revealed that it was his plan to integrate the player into the first team from the start of the season.
However, an injury in pre-season laid rest to those plans but the fans will argue that the wait was well worth it and them some.
He became the fulcrum of a midfield that had players like Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, and Sofyan Amrabat, all established internationals.
His performances throughout the season and in big games particularly has seen his stock skyrocket to the point that he is considered an England starter now.
Mainoo’s rise is reportedly being recognised by United in the form of a new contract as well, with the teenager set to sign a bumper new deal after the Euros.
It is a crazy ascent for Mainoo, who was winning the FA Youth Cup with the U18s just two seasons ago and is now the toast of the tournament at the senior level.
Fans and the club would hope this is just the start of the honours waiting for Mainoo in a hopefully glittering career ahead.
Want to be the first to hear breaking Man United news? For carefully selected, crucial updates, join our WhatsApp channel: https://bit.ly/United-Breaking-News.
