On the transfer deadline day, Manchester United relied on some homegrown talent for a dramatic victory.
Kobbie Mainoo, an 18-year-old midfielder, scored in the seventh minute of stoppage time to seal United’s 4-3 win over Wolverhampton on Thursday at Molineux.
“It is a dream come true. It is a tough place to come. We had to get the win. I have still not come down from it. I still feel like I am dreaming to be honest,” Mainoo said. “To start playing in the Premier League for my boyhood club has been amazing. Now it’s about trying to win more games.”
How United manager Erik ten Hag needed Mainoo’s moment of inspiration after his team had led 2-0 and then 3-1 before Wolves’ Pedro Neto evened the game in the 95th.
Mainoo was born in Stockport and rose through United’s academy before breaking into the first team.
“He is a big talent,” United captain Bruno Fernandes said. “I have seen him play for the under-18s and I said a couple of years ago the name of Kobbie without knowing if he would come and play for the first team.”
Marcus Rashford had fired United into the lead after five minutes with a curling shot from outside the box.
It was the perfect response from the forward after reportedly visiting a Belfast nightspot last week and later reporting ill.