Roy Keane has revealed his reaction to one Manchester United legend’s emergence after dropping his verdict on Kobbie Mainoo’s chances of making the England squad for Euro 2024.
Kobbie Mainoo is in his breakout season at Old Trafford under Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag, who is a big admirer of the Red Devils’ youth academy talent.
The 18-year-old midfielder has earned high praise from those inside the footballing world, including the full backing of Arsenal legend Ian Wright.
Mainoo, who was included in United’s pre-season tour last summer, has impressed in the United first team and established himself as a starter under Erik ten Hag.
The Stockport-born player has made 14 Premier League appearances – starting in all of them as well – in the current campaign, with Mainoo scoring once in the league.
Mainoo had initially been called up for the England Under-21s squad this month after he was initially snubbed by Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate.
However, Gareth Southgate later made a U-turn on his decision and called Mainoo up to the senior England squad for the March international break.
Mainoo, who produced a sensational performance against Liverpool in the FA Cup last week, could now be in contention for making his first senior England appearance.
Keane talks Mainoo’s England chances and Man Utd legend
England will play both Brazil and Belgium in friendlies, with Kobbie Mainoo already linking up with the Three Lions squad earlier this week at St George’s Park.
Manchester United midfielder Mainoo has been tipped to secure a place in the England squad for Euro 2024 after his impact at Old Trafford this season.
Speaking on the Stick to Football show, Roy Keane has suggested that Mainoo is likely to feature in England’s campaign at the upcoming tournament in Germany.
The Sky Sports pundit, who compared Mainoo to two of his former teammates, also compared the Red Devils youngster’s emergence to club legend Wayne Rooney.
Wayne Rooney burst onto the scene at Everton in 2002 and made a name for himself at Goodison Park before his high-profile move to Old Trafford in 2004.
Signed in a deal worth £27m, Sir Alex Ferguson snapped up Wayne Rooney at only the age of 18 and the United legend had a sensational impact at the Red Devils.
Keane admitted that the reaction to Rooney’s emergence as a youngster was positive after seeing him “close up” and recognising his potential.
“Well, the timing could be right – he [Mainoo] is lucky in terms of the timing because obviously [Kalvin] Phillips is having a difficult time and Jordan Henderson is getting a bit older,” Keane said on The Overlap.
“So, maybe that timing, and the best thing is when you get a player into your camp as you know at international football – okay, he is doing well at United, but have a look at him closely with the other international players. We have all done that.
“When Wayne [Rooney] came through – you look at a young player when you get to see him close up you go, ‘I like what I see.’ It could happen.”
Mainoo can follow in Rooney’s footsteps for England
Rooney was only 17 years old when he made his England debut under Sven-Goran Eriksson, with the United legend enjoying a prolific career on the international stage.
The 38-year-old former United striker went on to break Sir Bobby Charlton’s all-time goalscoring record for England, with Harry Kane later eclipsing Rooney’s feat.
Mainoo, much like Rooney, could be a success for the Three Lions if Southgate acts now and integrates him into the England squad.
The United midfielder has already shown he can handle pressure in big matches this season, along with keeping a steady head amid the waves of praise he has received.
It would be foolish for Southgate to overlook Mainoo for his England squad at Euro 2024 in Germany based on his lack of experience at international level.
Mainoo has everything it takes to be a major success for England and would only further enhance the midfield options available to Southgate for the tournament.