Micah Richards and Alan Shearer both praised Kobbie Mainoo after the Manchester United teenage sensation made his hotly anticipated England debut in the March international break.
Kobbie Mainoo has enjoyed a breakout season at Old Trafford, with the Manchester United midfielder seriously impressing under Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag.
The 18-year-old Stockport-born player has started in all 14 of his Premier League appearances in the current campaign and scored once in the league.
Mainoo has established himself as a regular starter under Erik ten Hag after he emerged from United’s youth academy, with the teenager earning rave reviews.
The Red Devils star had initially been snubbed by England boss Gareth Southgate ahead of the international break, despite his impressive performances this season.
Mainoo had been called up for the England Under-21s ahead of the March international break, but Gareth Southgate later made a U-turn on his initial decision.
He made an impact at Old Trafford before he linked up with his England teammates, with Mainoo producing a stunning display in his side’s FA Cup win over Liverpool.
Richards on Mainoo’s England debut and warning
Kobbie Mainoo had his first taste of senior international football on Saturday after he made his debut in England’s 1-0 friendly defeat to Brazil at Wembley.
The Manchester United star came off the bench in the second half and replaced Chelsea player Conor Gallagher, with Mainoo impressing in his cameo appearance.
Mainoo could potentially receive more international minutes in England’s clash with Belgium at Wembley on Tuesday before making his return to Old Trafford.
The Three Lions international’s season at United has led to calls for Gareth Southgate to include him in his England squad for Euro 2024.
Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, Micah Richards once again praised Mainoo and was impressed with his England debut against Brazil on the weekend.
However, the Sky Sports pundit admitted that he hopes Mainoo is not a player who is ‘hyped’ up too much only to fall off due to injuries or “whatever reason.”
“He’s class, isn’t he? We’ve talked him up so much,” Richards said.
“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 [they fall away], because I think we have got something special there.
“Normally, when a young player comes on, we talk about their speed or strength, but with him, it’s more his game management and how intelligent he is. That’s what impresses me. If he can keep it going, we have got a real star.”
Shearer backs Richards’ praise of Man Utd star Mainoo
The Rest Is Football co-host Gary Lineker has offered his two cents on Mainoo’s call-up to the England squad after Southgate made a U-turn on his initial decision.
Southgate also made his feelings clear on Mainoo after the United star’s impressive second-half cameo against Brazil, despite England slipping to a 1-0 defeat.
Alan Shearer, much like Richards, rated Mainoo’s showing for the Three Lions and said the England midfielder looked “really comfortable” on the ball against Brazil.
“He looked really comfortable and his attitude was great,” he said.
“He wasn’t fazed at all, he just wanted to show people how good he is and he was impressive.”