'Very interesting': £46m United star can become 'one of the best' in his position - Dietmar Hamann
Former Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann has made a huge prediction for Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo amid his impressive start to his career.
The United graduate only made his debut in late 2023, but he has already established himself as a key player for club and country due to his consistent performances.
Mainoo recently returned to action after a calf injury and Hamann believes he is a ‘very interesting’ player and a ‘fantastic’ talent. He could become ‘one of the best’ midfielders in England.
He said in a recent interview: “I think Kobbie Mainoo is a very interesting player. The way he played for England in the summer, for a young boy to come in, that was impressive. Last season he scored some important goals.
“I think Mainoo is a fantastic talent. There are some fantastic central midfield players, but Mainoo is probably the one I’d be most interested in watching where he goes over the next couple of years.
“Mainoo can defend and attack, which is a good thing. When you play in central midfield with two players, I think it’s very important that you haven’t got similar players. You need players with different qualities that complement each other.
“Mainoo has discipline and if he wants to do it, he could be one of the best holding players. Then again, he gets his shot off. He’s got a trick as well. He can score goals. If you play him next to a Declan Rice, as he does sometimes for England, I think he can play higher.
“If his future is as a number 8, then I think he will need to get six, seven, or eight goals from open play in a season. I think he’s capable of doing that if he puts his mind to it. I think he has the potential to become one of the best midfielders in England.”
Mainoo has potential to become world-class
Mainoo is only 19, but he has become a mainstay in the United set-up. He is an undisputed starter when fit and firing. We could see the best of him under new manager Ruben Amorim.
The England international played in both the holding and central midfield positions under former boss Erik ten Hag, but he could establish himself from the number eight role going forward.
Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro (short-term) could be Amorim’s main holding midfielders. Mainoo looks a stand-out candidate to partner either of them if Bruno Fernandes plays higher up the pitch.
Mainoo has all the attributes to become a world-class midfielder in future. He has a passing accuracy of almost 90 percent this term with two tackles and six duels won per league game.
The teenager has also made 4.3 recoveries with a dribbling success rate of 74 percent. With his ability to make regular forward runs, he could also play as an attacking midfielder in future.
The £46 million-rated star should only get better with age and experience on his side. United have a gem in their hands. Amorim could unlock his full potential with his good track record of nurturing young talents.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com
Article written by Sri Aswin .