Kobbie Mainoo answers Gary Neville criticism in spectacular fashion ...

Gary Neville ripped into Kobbie Mainoo's first-half performance vs Liverpool - before the Manchester United wonderkid delivered the perfect response after the break.

The 18-year-old has enjoyed a rapid rise since making his first Premier League start in November, having started in each of their last 14 top-flight matches. However, Mainoo struggled during the opening 45 minutes at Old Trafford and was singled out for criticism by Gary Neville on co-commentary.

Neville slammed Mainoo for being caught out of position and not doing the "basics" right throughout the first period. Jamie Carragher agreed with Neville and instead focused on the overall balance of the United midfield with Casemiro as the deepest sitter and Bruno Fernandes ahead of them.

"Look where Mainoo is there, he's ahead of the ball on a throw-in," Neville told Sky Sports. "For a central midfield player I always think - and Bruno Fernandes, he had to run back.

"Forget about that [man-marking system], forget about [Alexis] Mac Allister, don't be ahead of the ball. You can always get up to that one. He's moving up there now, it defies logic and it's the basics of the game."

It was a disappointing start from United, who failed to record a single shot during the first-half for the first time since 2015. Liverpool went into the interval leading 1-0 as Luis Diaz volleyed home but missed a number of chances to double their lead, with Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez both missing opportunities.

And Liverpool were made to pay for being wasteful in front of goal as Mainoo and United turned their fortunes around. With their first shot, Bruno Fernandes brought Erik ten Hag's side level, lobbing Caoimhin Kelleher from 45 yards after Jarell Quansah gave the ball away.

That was the start of the turnaround as Mainoo gave the Red Devils the lead in the 67th minute - and what a goal it was. The youngster found some space inside the box and received the ball from Aaron Wan-Bissaka, before superbly curling the ball into top corner beyond the outstretched hand of Kelleher.

It was a stunning strike from Mainoo as he found his second Premier League goal after finding the net at Wolves in February. After Mainoo scored, Neville said: "What are we watching? This game is absolutely mad, Manchester United from nowhere, but it is a thing of absolute beauty from Kobbie Mainoo.

"He sets it out perfectly into that far corner, sets it up with his left foot, strikes it with his right, and the crowd have gone absolutely wild. The Theatre of Dreams, but for that man [Klopp], is it the Theatre of Nightmares? He’s snapped.

"Well, I said it wasn’t like the FA Cup game a few weeks ago, about 15 minutes ago. It’s getting there quickly! This is a big, big 20 minutes for Liverpool. They can’t afford to lose here. They would still only be one point behind but it would have a big impact mentally."

United were unable to hold on, however, as Liverpool equalised late on. Harvey Elliott was brought down inside the area, giving Salah the chance to level from the penalty spot. The Egyptian duly obliged as he sent Andre Onana the wrong way to score his 14th Premier League goal of the season.

Join our new WhatsApp communityand receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.