Manchester United’s “star player” to shine next season for two reasons, says ex-defender

Manchester United’s “star player”, Kobbie Mainoo, has been backed to shine under Erik ten Hag next season for two reasons.

Kobbie Mainoo‘s rise in the last 12 months has been nothing short of spectacular following his first start for Manchester United in November 2023.

Mainoo was part of Erik ten Hag‘s travelling squad to the USA last summer but suffered an ankle injury during the early moments of a friendly against Real Madrid that ruled him out for around four months.

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However, once he returned from injury, he started against Everton and was gifted the Player of the Match award during a 3-0 win at Goodison Park, and he has not looked back since.

He became one of the club’s most important players across the second half of the 2023/24 campaign and made his way into the England XI that reached the 2024 European Championships final.

After his first season as a senior Red Devil, he is set for his first full campaign as one of Ten Hag’s key men, and former United defender Wes Brown has picked him to continue to thrive at Old Trafford.

“He has been excellent, and we’ve seen at such an early stage in his career how mature he can be,” Brown told ManchesterWorld. “He was excellent for England at the Euros. 

“He was one of the star players last year [at United], and you can see that confidence there. I think with playing more games comes more experience, and at any club, you have high expectations, but at Man United, it’s probably even higher. He seems to use that.”

Further, Brown detailed that he feels Mainoo will continue to shine at United for two main reasons—his control and his awareness of his own abilities.

“He has control, and he’s aware of his ability. He is one of the youngest players and is already one of the first names on the team sheet. He takes full responsibility at such a young age. But I think we’re going to see even better things coming from Kobbie.

“It’s difficult to take him out of the team,” Brown added. “I know at such a young age you don’t want to put pressure on players, but he’s shown he thrives under pressure, and it doesn’t let it affect him.”

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