Kobbie Mainoo makes Garnacho admission long after Man Utd exit

England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo has admitted that Aston Villa winger Alejandro Garnacho shared an important moment in his Manchester United playing career.

Kobbie Mainoo had a close dynamic with Alejandro Garnacho after the pair climbed through the ranks of the Manchester United youth academy set-up.

The 21-year-old Three Lions international and the 22-year-old Garnacho were both key United first-team players during Erik ten Hag’s managerial reign at Old Trafford.

However, Garnacho’s time at Man Utd came to an end in 2025 after a fractured relationship with Ruben Amorim resulted in his sale to Premier League side Chelsea.

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Kobbie Mainoo says that Alejandro Garnacho’s memorable overhead kick stands out during his time at Man Utd

Kobbie Mainoo made his full Premier League debut for the Red Devils when Alejandro Garnacho pulled off his remarkable bicycle kick in 2023. The Stockport-born talent produced a Man-of-the-Match performance in Manchester United’s 3-0 Premier League win over Everton at Goodison Park.

However, Mainoo’s strong performance against the Toffees was overshadowed by Garnacho’s successful acrobatic effort in only the third minute of the match. Diogo Dalot whipped in a cross into the Everton box and Garnacho cleanly met the strike with a remarkable overhead kick to beat a helpless Jordan Pickford.

Speaking to Amazon Prime Video’s TikTok page, Mainoo was asked what the best effort that one of his teammates, either past or present, had scored for United while he has been playing at Old Trafford.

“Garnacho’s overhead kick against Everton,” he said.

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Kobbie Mainoo’s key stats from his full Premier League debut for Man Utd against Everton in the 2023-24 clash:

• Minutes played: 72
• Pass accuracy: 83 per cent (34/41 completed)
• Tackles won: 100 per cent
• Duels won: 5
• Ball recoveries: 3
• Interceptions: 2
• Clearances: 1

Mainoo started alongside Scott McTominay in United’s 3-0 win against Everton in 2023 before Erik ten Hag took him off in the second half for Sofyan Amrabat. The Red Devils sealed all three Premier League points at Goodison Park after Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial scored in the second half, following Garnacho’s first-half opener.