‘Let him be the orchestrator’: Ian Wright heaps praise on the shoulders of influential United starlet

Ian Wright is the latest of a string of pundits to heap praise on the shoulders of Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo.

The 18-year-old was granted a sixth successive start on Sunday when the Reds hosted Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford in their first Premier League outing of the calendar year.

Mainoo continues to receive plaudits with every appearance he makes and while supporters have been urged to not get ahead of themselves, there’s no doubt that the feeling amongst the Old Trafford faithful is that the teenager is something incredibly special, and to make matters better, he’s one of their own.

Despite taking the lead twice against Spurs over the weekend, United were ultimately held to a 2-2 draw – a result which has seen their top-four hopes slashed significantly more after failing to take all three points from a direct rival for the Champions League places.

Tottenham dominated the game, particularly in the second half, but Mainoo again looked mature beyond his years when up against one of the most in-form sides the division has to offer. He has been one silver lining throughout a dull, dismal campaign for the Reds thus far.

Wright reserves special praise for Mainoo

Speaking on Match of the Day 2 later that evening, Arsenal legend Wright couldn’t speak highly enough of the Carrington graduate.

“Give him the keys, because when you look at the way he plays, his calmness, his maturity for his age, the positions he picks up, he’s somebody now,’ Wright said, as cited by the Metro.

“I’m looking at Manchester United still playing counter-attacking football at home when you’ve got a player in midfield that can progress the ball and play the ball with such calmness, such fluidity. I’d love to see Mainoo where he’s in a situation where he’s then able to get the ball and just put it forward.

“At some stage, just let him play, let him be the orchestrator – progressing the ball and getting the ball and playing the ball – so that the front men, instead of having to continually try and run for transition, come and play, link play, one-twos. Start playing football.”