Darwin Nunez and Kobbie Mainoo received completely polarizing reactions from the Liverpool and Manchester United fanbases after their respective performance in the two sides’ uneventful 0-0 draw in the Premier League.
While many fans expected an explosive, big-scoring win with the Reds getting a huge victory – it ended up being a goalless draw. Nunez attracted a lot of criticism from some Liverpool fans for missing a number of opportunities and ultimately allowing himself to be overshadowed by the make-shift centre-back duo of Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans.
On the other hand, Mainoo saw his popularity soar after his impressive outing at Anfield. He became the youngest-ever Manchester United player to start a Premier League game against Liverpool at their ground and put in an admirable performance.
Mainoo refused to be pressed by the opposition midfielders, moved the ball forward efficiently and was defensively agile too. After the game, Nunez attracted the Liverpool fans’ rage and the young Englishman could not get enough love from the Red Devils’ brigade.
However, the two have now gotten comparatively opposite reactions as a result of how they tend to behave outside the pitch.
After the game against United, Liverpool released a ‘Carpool Karaoke’ video (that was shot earlier than that) as a Christmas special edition for the fans. It involved Nunez and his teammates Cody Gakpo and Curtis Jones along with a host dressed as Santa Claus.
How are we reds🤣 pic.twitter.com/TxCrPsFJ57
— REDFACEVALUETICKETS (@REDTICKETSYNWA_) December 19, 2023
This carpool Karaoke video is especially funny because Nunez still doesn’t understand that much English and just seemed to be happy to be there. He just randomly laughed some jokes and passed a few comments that delighted Liverpool fans.
However, the most hilarious moment was when the Uruguayan forward was asked by the host to give his best impression of the Scouse accent that goes around the city of Liverpool.
He followed it up with the funniest impression of someone saying ‘How are we’, a popular term used between friends in that part of England to engage in conversation.
While a lot of Liverpool fans seem to have forgotten about Nunez’s disaster show against United with this hilarious clip, some Red Devils’ fans have begun questioning whether or not Mainoo can be marketed as the ‘next big thing’ on social media.
This comes after the English midfielder was recently the vocal point of a motivational video released by the Red Devils. In the video, the club basically asked Mainoo to send a message to the U18 team ahead of the start of their FA Youth Cup campaign.
Kobbie Mainoo’s message to Manchester United’s U18s who begin their FA Youth Cup campaign today 🔴💪 pic.twitter.com/9Keyt6vsmF
— mufcmpb (@mufcMPB) December 19, 2023
Mainoo basically delivered a message wishing the squad the best of luck for the FA Youth Cup campaign and how he hopes that they have a great run in the competition.
The Englishman was, of course, involved with the U18 side last season when they played in the FA Youth Cup and was in the FA Youth Cup winning team in the 2021/22 season too.
However, Mainoo’s robotic message and delivery have created an awkward situation for the United fans. Some found it tough to understand what he said, while others complained that he sounds way older than his age.
There have been complaints over his accent, but fans have been quick to reiterate that Mainoo is from Stockport and that his accent is from that area of Manchester.
Even though Nunez and Mainoo both remain beloved figures for large sections of their teams’ fanbases, these clips might be an example that only the former has the personality to be promoted on social media.