Liverpool legend says Kobbie Mainoo isn't yet good enough to be a regular Man Utd starter
Liverpool legend Graeme Souness has expressed his concerns over the role of Manchester United's young midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, stating that the 19-year-old is not yet ready to be a regular starter for the Red Devils.
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According to Souness, it is unfair to expect the teenager to carry the burden of United's midfield at such a young age.
Mainoo has received significant praise since breaking into United's first team last season, becoming a key player for both the club and the England national team. He notably scored the winning goal in the FA Cup final last season and started in England's Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain.
However, Souness believes that the hype surrounding Mainoo may be premature. Speaking on Talksport's White and Jordan Show on Monday, the former Liverpool midfielder cautioned against placing too much pressure on the youngster. "Mainoo might be a player, but it's so Man United. When someone comes on the scene at Man United, they’re put into the superstardom category way before they've even become a good player," Souness said.
Souness argued that Mainoo should be eased into the team through a rotational system rather than being relied upon to perform against top-tier opposition. "Mainoo right now should be a player that's flitting in and out of a good team—not coming in and being asked to stand up and play against the very best teams," he added.
Mainoo's start to the current season has been challenging, with Manchester United suffering defeats in three of the four matches he has played, including a 3-0 loss to Liverpool on Sunday. The young midfielder's error contributed to Liverpool's third goal in the match, further highlighting the difficulties he has faced.
As Manchester United look to recover from their poor start to the campaign, Souness’s comments suggest that Mainoo's development should be carefully managed to allow him to mature into the player many believe he can become. Meanwhile, Mainoo's focus will shift to international duty with England as they prepare for upcoming Nations League matches against Ireland and Finland.