"Finally he's starting", "Am I dreaming?" - Manchester United fans react as star included in XI for FA Cup clash against Brighton

Manchester United fans have been left excited after academy graduate Kobbie Mainoo was named in the starting XI against Brighton & Hove Albion. The Red Devils are set to lock horns with the Seagulls in their FA Cup Third Round meeting as they hope to keep hopes of silverware alive.

Stand-in head coach Darren Fletcher is set to take charge of his second match in interim capacity, having overseen a 2-2 draw with Burnley in midweek. He made three changes to the XI that earned a point at Turf Moor with a place in the next round of the cup on his mind.

England international Mainoo has been restored into the XI, making only his second start for the club this season. His only other start came in the shock defeat to Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup while Ruben Amorim was in charge of the side back in August.

The inclusion of Mainoo in the XI has been met with palpable excitement from the Manchester United faithful owing to the quality he has shown in his career so far. A section of the club's fans took to X to express their delight at the midfielder's inclusion.

A fan was relieved to see the youngster get the nod to start.

ayo

@adesolayomi

finally mainoo starting 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

Another fan referred to the inclusion of the midfielder in the XI as a dream.

🪫

@yashited2pnt0

Mainoo?? Am I dreaming?

A fan pointed out that Mainoo is back from his exile enforced by Ruben Amorim.

Eric The King

@KingCantonaUtd

@ManUtd Mainoo back from Scamorim’s exile

Another fan showed their excitement at his return to the XI.

charlie_mufc

@charl1e_mufc

MAINOO NATION WEVE ARRIVED

Darren Fletcher also brought the duo of Mason Mount and Leny Yoro into the XI for the game, with Casemiro, Luke Shaw, and Ayden Heaven dropping out. Shaw was not named in a matchday squad for the first time since August, when he was rested for the Grimsby game.

Mainoo was set to be on his way out of the club after failing to feature regularly under Amorim. The sacking of the Portuguese tactician may prove to give the 20-year-old a new lease of life at his boyhood club.

Manchester United set for double boost ahead of derby

Manchester United are set to receive a double boost when they host Manchester City next weekend. The Red Devils will have both Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo back available following their participation in the AFCON.

Mbeumo, Diallo, and Noussair Mazraoui were invited by their respective national teams for the tournament in Morocco last month. Mazraoui is the only remaining Red Devil at the competition, with his Morocco side having eliminated Mbeumo's Cameroon in the quarterfinals.

Amad Diallo will join Mbeumo in returning to England after his Cote d'Ivoire were eliminated by Egypt in the last eight on Saturday. Both forwards will be available for the derby at Old Trafford, with Manchester United hopeful of boosting their chances of a top four finish.