Kobbie Mainoo request speaks volumes after Man Utd starlet’s England snub gives conditions
Man Utd midfielder Kobbie Mainoo may have been disappointed to miss out on a spot in Gareth Southgate’s England squad.
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Erik ten Hag has urged against comparing Kobbie Mainoo to football icons, including Clarence Seedorf, as he paves his own legacy at Manchester United. Mainoo’s reputation within the walls of Old Trafford and in the England camp has been reinforced on Thursday despite missing out on a spot in Gareth Southgate’s squad.
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Mainoo is expected to move up to the England U21s before entering the senior frame amid his breakout season at United.
The 18-year-old midfielder has made 19 appearances this term, and Erik ten Hag has named him in his last 12 Premier League starting lineups.
This month’s international friendlies against Brazil and Belgium will come too soon for Mainoo to earn his first England cap. But Southgate has confirmed he’s firmly on his radar ahead of Euro 2024 this summer.
Southgate explained: “He’s doing brilliantly for a young player. We’re never slow to put a young player into the seniors, but he’s only had a handful of games.
“He’s getting some fabulous experience at Man Utd. He looks like a really good character. We obviously have contingency plans in every area of the pitch; some of those will be with the U21s.
“There are some players in the U21s who are doing exceptionally well, especially in midfield.
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Kobbie Mainoo is set for the England U21s first.
“The likes of Kobbie Mainoo, Harvey Elliott, Rico [Lewis], who was with us last time, Archie Gray at Leeds, who are doing very, very well, I have to say.”
Mainoo’s impressive performances at the start of his United career have opened the door to comparisons to iconic midfielders.
He has been nicknamed the ‘Stockport Seedorf’ in some corners of the Red Devils’ fanbase, and former players Rio Ferdinand and Wes Brown are among those to have agreed with his likeness to the Dutch hero.
But Ten Hag has shut down those comparisons, stressing that Mainoo needs the space to evolve into his own player for club and country.
“So I think never ever compare players with another player. Never. Because Kobbie Mainoo, but also other players, they build their own identity,” Ten Hag said
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“Don’t compare him with anyone. His skill set is so typical. And it’s so Kobbie Mainoo. It’s nothing to do with other players.
“Of course, he can learn from other players, especially from great players like Clarence Seedorf. But Kobbie Mainoo is Kobbie Mainoo. He has big potential, and I’m quite sure he will have a big career.”
Ten Hag’s comments don’t read as if he’s playing down Mainoo’s quality but instead re-affirmed how highly he rates the teenage talent, who likely won’t have much longer to wait until his England bow.
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