Premier League icon raves about “unbelievable” Manchester United youngster’s quality last season

Former Stoke City and Liverpool midfielder Charlie Adam has said he could not believe the quality of Kobbie Mainoo after watching him in the EFL trophy last season.

Kobbie Mainoo has risen to star-boy status this season after a series of impressive performances during his full debut season as a Manchester United first-team member.

Erik ten Hag has entrusted Mainoo with multiple high-intensity starts after injuries to Mason Mount, Christian Eriksen, and Casemiro left the Old Trafford club short of options in midfield as part of their monumental injury crisis.

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However, Mainoo’s rise this season has not come as a surprise to those who watched him play at academy level, with former Liverpool midfielder Charlie Adam, who rose to iconic Premier League status after a famous halfway-line goal against Chelsea in 2015, explaining he could not believe the talent of Mainoo after watching him last season.

“I watched him last season in the EFL Trophy against Fleetwood Town, and he was unbelievable,” Adam said on BBC Radio 5 Live.

“I know it’s against League One opposition, but he was running the game. For me, you could see the personality and you need that if you’re going to be playing for Manchester United.

“The trust he has from the first team group, they know he is going to be a top player. Erik ten Hag knows he’s got a top player on his hands but he just needs to know when to play him or take him out because youngsters will have dips.

“To come in and play for Manchester United when they’re going through a rough time, really highlights his attitude and the mentality that he has.”