Every man and his dog is raving about Kobbie Mainoo at this point, and rightfully so.
The Manchester United starlet just continues to impress with each and every outing he makes, which is absolutely remarkable given it’s his first season in the top flight.
His efforts have not only seen him become a mainstay in Erik ten Hag’s starting 11, but Mainoo is now a senior England international with two caps to his name at just 18 years old. Based on current form, Gareth Southgate would certainly have some explaining to do if the midfielder isn’t included in his Euros squad this summer.
Fresh off the back of a scintillating finish against Liverpool – his third goal in all competitions – the Carrington graduate has been the talk of the town yet again as his contribution led to United claiming a point against the then-league leaders.
More competent refereeing would’ve perhaps seen Mainoo’s strike be the winning goal of the game, but the late, questionable penalty call led to the spoils being shared.
Antonio reserves special praise for Mainoo
Adding himself to the list of Mainoo admirers is Michail Antonio. The West Ham United talisman gave a glowing verdict of the teenager in the latest instalment of The Footballer’s Football Podcast, saying: “He is frightening, he is actually frightening.
“The craziest thing is that when they came to us at the beginning of the season, I didn’t know much [many] of these players – and this was United. But when he played against us I was like, ‘This kid is something special’.
“Then I was like, ‘Where did they sign him from?’ They had to have signed him. This guy was a joke! But he came through the academy. This kid is something else.”