Brazil star Casemiro heaps praise on his former Manchester United teammate Kobbie Mainoo, whom he considers the best in his position.
The two midfielders played side by side following the young Englishman’s promotion to the first team under Erik ten Hag.
This season, Mainoo spent the first half of the campaign on the bench at Ruben Amorim’s orders, but was immediately reinstated in the starting lineup following Michael Carrick’s appointment in January.
Casemiro believes Kobbie Mainoo is the ultimate best
Mainoo and Casemiro immediately struck a brilliant partnership in Carrick’s 4-2-3-1 formation, while Bruno Fernandes returned to operate in his original role as an attacking midfielder.
This double pivot was instrumental in Man Utd’s success during the second half of the season, as the veteran and the youngster perfectly complemented one another.
While the Brazilian imposed his will in the middle of the park and contributed with goals, the Englishman was a smooth operator in midfield, elegantly holding up the ball and advancing the play.
Sadly for Man Utd supporters, this remarkable collaboration has come to an end, as Casemiro has already departed at the end of the season.
Nevertheless, Mainoo has managed to leave an indelible mark on the 34-year-old, who played alongside some of the biggest names in the sport.
The Brazilian international insists that the Manchester native is the best No.8 midfielder in the world.
”For me, Kobbie Mainoo is an unbelievable player. He is the present and the future of the club,” he told the official Man Utd channels.
“I think the club have for the next 10 years the best number eight in the country and in the world. He loves the ball, and Kobbie is an unbelievable player.”
🗣️ Casemiro on Kobbie Mainoo:
''For me Kobbie Mainoo is unbelievable player is the present and the future of the club. I think the club have 10 years the best number eight in the country in the in the world. He loves the ball and Kobbie is unbelievable player.''
[@ManUtd] pic.twitter.com/xM0HiQnBJV
— MainooXtra (@Mainoo_Xtra) June 20, 2026
What’s next for Mainoo & Man United
While Mainoo’s credentials are undisputed, the challenge for United is to pair him with the right partners following Casemiro’s departure.
The first midfield acquisition will be Ederson from Atalanta, although the deal has yet to be officially confirmed.
However, the 26-year-old Brazilian might not be the marquee signing of the summer, as another one or two midfielders are expected at Old Trafford.
West Ham United’s Mateus Fernandes has emerged as the club’s top target, at least after effectively giving up on Elliot Anderson amid Forest’s £120 million asking price.
The energetic Portuguese could be technically compatible with Mainoo, but some observers might be sceptical about a double pivot that pairs two 21-year-olds.
Michel is a football journalist based in Beirut who has been passionately following Man United for over 20 years. He is a Law graduate and a member of the Beirut Bar Association. In addition to writing for Utd Report, he is also the Head Writer for The Laziali has been a Featured Writer on other websites including Juve FC, and The Cult of Calcio, and Stretty News.
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