Jill Scott has revealed what she saw Arsenal star Declan Rice doing to Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo when they played for England last month.
Mainoo has become a star for Manchester United this season, hasn’t he?
The 18-year-old was always highly rated in and around Carrington, but Erik ten Hag decided to use him regularly in the first team this season, and he has been phenomenal.
Mainoo starred for England as well recently, and Arsenal midfielder Rice may deserve a tiny bit of credit for that display.
What Declan Rice did to help Kobbie Mainoo during England vs Belgium
Arsenal star Declan Rice is one of the best midfielders in the world.
The Englishman has barely put a foot wrong in the famous red and white since his club-record move from West Ham United last summer.
He is, in many people’s eyes, the signing of the season, and his performances for England have been outstanding as well almost every time he has played.
Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo received his first call-up to the England squad last month, and he was given a start alongside Rice in midfield in the game against Belgium at Wembley.
The youngster performed magnificently, and Ian Wright believes the Manchester United midfielder received some much-needed help from the players around him.
Jill Scott then claimed that she actually heard Rice speaking to Mainoo throughout the game, which must have helped the teenager perform as well as he did.
In the latest episode of Stick to Football, Wright said: “I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Kobbie Mainoo got Man of the Match in that game, because he obviously had people around him talking to him.”
Scott replied: “Yeah, Declan Rice, I could hear him.”
What Declan Rice has said about Kobbie Mainoo should really excite Manchester United fans
Declan Rice knows what it’s like to make his debut at a very young age in the Premier League.
The Englishman made his first senior appearance for West Ham when he was just 18 years old. He made his debut for England just a year later and has since developed into one of the best midfielders in the world.
Mainoo is following a similar path to Rice, but the huge difference is that the teenager is playing for one of the biggest clubs in world football.
The pressure at Manchester United will be considerably higher than what it was for Rice at West Ham, which makes it more difficult for him.
However, Rice seems convinced that Mainoo is a tremendous talent who has what it takes to become an absolute superstar for club and country.
The Arsenal man said last month: “Every time I’ve seen him playing for United on the TV, he has been pretty much their best player every game. In training, the composure he shows, the little touches he takes in tight areas is really impressive for an 18-year-old.
“I have come across so many 18-year-olds who are top players but don’t have that full package, just because of who they are as a person, but he is so level-headed.
“I really want him to enjoy his career. It’s important we don’t put too much pressure on him. He’s at one of the biggest clubs in the world and now he’s at England, and we just want to let him flourish. But the sky is the limit for him and I am looking forward to hopefully playing many games for England with him.”
The post 'I could hear him': Jill Scott noticed what Declan Rice was doing when Kobbie Mainoo played for England appeared first on TBR Football.