Micah Richards has claimed that Manchester United have a youngster who could become a very ‘special’ player.
Despite what has been an underwhelming campaign to date for Manchester United, Erik ten Hag remains in with a chance of landing silverware once again this season.
United will face Coventry City in the semi-final of the FA Cup and a win would see them play either Chelsea or Manchester City in the final.
Of course, Ten Hag’s men still have an outside chance of qualifying for the Champions League, particularly if fifth place opens up as a spot for qualification.
The Red Devils were tipped as an outside contender for the title before the season got underway but have failed to kick on after a promising debut campaign under Ten Hag.
But a couple of bright youngsters have emerged at Old Trafford this season and Kobbie Mainoo has grabbed the headlines in recent weeks.
Richards claims Mainoo could be a ‘real star’
Off the back of an impressive few months at United, Mainoo received a call-up to Gareth Southgate’s England squad last week.
The 18-year-old came off the bench to earn his first cap as England fell to a 1-0 defeat against Brazil on Saturday.
And after an impressive cameo for the Three Lions, Richards has lauded Mainoo on the latest episode of The Rest Is Football.
“I just hope he can do it consistently and we don’t have one of those talents where we hype them up and basically, for whatever reason, maybe injury or whatever [fall off] because I think we have got something special there,” the former Manchester City man said.
“Normally, when a young player comes on it’s like he’s really quick or really strong or he has scored a long ranger but it’s more his game management and how intelligent he is that impresses me. So keep it going and we have got a real star.”
Mainoo’s England debut
Mainoo got 15 minutes under his belt in what should be the first of many appearances for England.
The media labelled his performance as ‘promising’ while Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker also praised the youngster.
It’s been quite the rise for Mainoo after making his full Premier League debut at Goodison Park back in November.
He continues to take everything in his stride and at this point, it wouldn’t exactly come as a surprise if he makes England’s squad for the Euros this summer.
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