Liverpool legend Graeme Souness has insisted that one incredibly talented Manchester United star is “full of confidence” ahead of Euro 2024 this summer.
Manchester United players have linked up with their countries to represent them at either Euro 2024 in Germany or the Copa America in the United States this summer.
The Red Devils signed off their turbulent 2023-24 season under manager Erik ten Hag last month by capturing the FA Cup trophy at Wembley.
Erik ten Hag’s men produced a stunning performance at Wembley and beat Premier League champions Manchester City 2-1 in the FA Cup final.
However, United limped to an eighth-place finish in the Premier League and finished well short of a top-four challenge last season.
Despite missing out on Champions League football for next season, Ten Hag’s side will compete in the Europa League after their FA Cup triumph.
Souness praises confident Man Utd star
Speaking in his column for The Daily Mail, Graeme Souness spotlighted the confidence of Kobbie Mainoo ahead of Euro 2024 this summer.
Kobbie Mainoo had a breakout season at Old Trafford and the Manchester United star established himself as a key midfield figure for Erik ten Hag.
The 19-year-old Stockport-born player’s superb campaign with United earned him his senior debut for England during the March international break.
England boss Gareth Southgate has been impressed with Mainoo’s emergence and included the United midfielder in his squad for Euro 2024 in Germany.
Souness praised Mainoo’s composure on the ball, despite claiming Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton has a better “understanding of the position.”
However, the former Sky Sports pundit added that the United and England midfielder is “full of confidence” ahead of the Three Lions’ Euro 2024 campaign.
“I’m really pleased Adam Wharton has got in. I really like the Crystal Palace midfielder,” Souness said.
“I’ve said before he knows the responsibilities and discipline required of a midfielder and has real quality.
“Kobbie Mainoo is good on the ball but Wharton has greater understanding of the position.
“In Wharton, Mainoo and Cole Palmer you have three young players who have seized their chance and are full of confidence, but Palmer will give his manager a major headache. England’s real strength is in their firepower.”
Ten Hag deserves more credit for Mainoo development
Ten Hag has managed Kobbie Mainoo well in the United star’s breakout season, including the praise that he has dropped on the player.
The United manager hasn’t been carried away with hyping up the England international’s potential and allowed Mainoo to do the talking on the pitch.
Mainoo repaid the faith that Ten Hag had in him with his performances, with the England international putting in solid displays on a consistent basis last season.
The Three Lions international has opened up about his development under former Ajax boss Ten Hag and how he has “protected” him at times.
“Obviously, he’s my first manager that I’ve played under and he’s always helped me and given me tips and put an arm around me and protected me as well,” Mainoo told the Manchester Evening News in May.
“You know a young player coming into a United team is always tough.”