Pundit says ‘sensational’ United star should feel ‘hard done by’ after recent decision

Ex-player Nigel Reo Coker has weighed in on Kobbie Mainoo’s scintillating breakthrough campaign at Manchester United.

The 18-year-old continues to receive plaudits with every outing he makes, having only made his full Premier League debut back in November 2023 against Everton. 

Yesterday, he outperformed all his senior midfield counterparts at both United and Liverpool when he again put in a spirited shift that exhibited class beyond his years. He featured for 80 minutes and was undoubtedly the most impressive player on the pitch in that time, which has been the case for numerous of his appearances thus far. 

Ian Wright voiced his praise for Mainoo following the full-time whistle by questioning how he hadn’t been included in the England squad for their upcoming double-header of friendlies. Fans had been calling for Gareth Southgate to include the in-form Carrington graduate over the likes of lacklustre midfielder Jordan Henderson, but the Three Lions boss ultimately opted against the decision last week.

Reo Coker shares Wright’s sentiment, as he said on Football Daily today: “Mainoo, for me, I think has been sensational. He deserves a lot more credit than he’s getting. And he should feel hard done by, not to actually get full-squad England recognition. Because it’s not easy to do that at a club of that magnitude and be a major part.”