Bryan Robson has praised the “maturity” shown by one Manchester United star and has tipped a “promising” future for him on the international stage.
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag signed off the 2023-24 season with his side producing a sensational FA Cup final win over Manchester City.
Alejandro Garnacho opened the scoring in the first half at Wembley in May before Kobbie Mainoo doubled United’s advantage before half-time.
Jeremy Doku pulled one back for Manchester City late in the second half, but Pep Guardiola’s men were unable to find the all-important equaliser.
United impressed with their overall performance in the final and Erik ten Hag lifted his second piece of major silverware as Red Devils boss.
The Premier League club were able to avenge their 2023 FA Cup final defeat to City, with Ten Hag falling short of the FA Cup trophy in his debut season at Old Trafford.
Despite United’s success with the FA Cup, the Red Devils endured an up-and-down Premier League season under Ten Hag.
The Red Devils ended the season in eighth place and United fell well short of finishing in the top four and securing Champions League football for next season.
Robson raves about Man Utd star
Bryan Robson singled out Manchester United star Kobbie Mainoo for his overall performance in the FA Cup final last month.
Kobbie Mainoo enjoyed a remarkable breakout season at Old Trafford and emerged as a linchpin midfield figure for United manager Erik ten Hag.
The 19-year-old midfielder’s stunning run of form for club earned him his senior England call-up under Gareth Southgate during the March international break.
Mainoo impressed in a brief cameo appearance in the 1-0 defeat to Brazil at Wembley before he made his first England start in the 2-2 draw against Belgium.
The United star, who has been praised by Robson in the past, was named in Gareth Southgate’s provisional 33-man England squad for Euro 2024 in Germany.
United legend Robson was happy with the “maturity” Mainoo showed in the FA Cup final and insisted that England have a “promising” midfield going forward.
“I’ve seen a lot of Mainoo and he underlined his maturity in the FA Cup final against a very good team in Manchester City,” he said in his column for The Daily Mail.
“I wouldn’t be worried to put him in and on current evidence, the same applies to [Adam] Wharton. England’s midfield future looks promising.”
Robson on Southgate picking Mainoo
England punched their ticket to Euro 2024 without losing a single qualifier and the Three Lions are in Group C alongside Serbia, Denmark and Slovenia.
Gareth Southgate is taking charge of England for his fourth major international tournament ahead of his contract expiring in December.
The England boss has been linked with a move to United in recent months amid the speculation surrounding Ten Hag’s future at Old Trafford.
Robson, who was capped 90 times for England, believes that Southgate made the right decision to include Kobbie Mainoo in his Euro 2024 squad.
“It’s terrific for Gareth Southgate that he has two great young talents in Wharton and Kobbie Mainoo for the position,” he said.
“Both have broken into the Premier League this season, maintained their places on merit and shown they can handle the big occasion.
“I’d take them both on the plane to Germany without any qualms.”