Owen Hargreaves believes Manchester United have a future superstar on their hands in Kobbie Mainoo, with the former midfielder struggling to understand why the academy graduate is not always selected.
Kobbie Mainoo has continued to impress since breaking into the Manchester United first team, and Hargreaves believes his consistency is one of his biggest strengths.
“I have never seen him play badly,” Hargreaves told TNT Sports. “Every time I watch him play football I think: ‘How can somebody not play him?’”
The former United midfielder also highlighted the money spent on new midfield additions and questioned what Mainoo would be worth in today’s market.
“He’s an academy player and didn’t cost the club anything,” Hargreaves said.
Hargreaves knows Kobbie Mainoo has everything
“I just love his game, he can do so much, and it only really depends on who he plays with and who plays next to him.”
Hargreaves feels Kobbie Mainoo has the technical quality to operate in different midfield roles and can be trusted with the ball regardless of the situation.
“You can just pass him the ball anywhere at any time. Technically, just so gifted, glides with the ball.”
With Bruno Fernandes ahead of him, Hargreaves sees Mainoo as someone United can build their midfield around, whether he is used as a six or an eight.
“He’s a star. I think he’s going to be a superstar.”
For Hargreaves, Mainoo’s composure is perhaps the most impressive part of his game. Despite being just 21, he believes the midfielder handles pressure like a much more experienced player.
“He’s only 21 years old, and he plays like he’s 30.”
That calmness could be just as valuable as Mainoo’s technical ability as he continues to establish himself at Old Trafford.
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