Micah Richards observed a notable action by Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo during their 2-1 triumph over Luton Town, suggesting it was a model for other players to emulate.
The 18-year-old has swiftly become a pivotal figure for United since his full debut earlier this season.
Mainoo encountered a setback at the start of the campaign due to an ankle injury sustained during pre-season. Nonetheless, he made a remarkable debut start against Everton in November’s 3-0 victory.
Since then, he has participated in 10 Premier League matches and notably netted the decisive goal in a thrilling 4-3 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers earlier this month. Against Luton, the teenager showcased his composure throughout the match, contributing significantly as United closed the gap to the top four to just five points.
Mainoo’s poised performances have caught the attention of pundits, including Gary Lineker, who commended his maturity on the Rest Is Football podcast:
“I mentioned Mainoo. I like him. This young man, every time I see him, I think he’s so impressive, so mature in his performances.”
Richards concurred, emphasizing Mainoo’s ability to maintain composure, particularly during tense moments:
“It’s just like his composure. You know, today, when the game was getting a bit frantic, he was the only one able to get his foot on the ball and remain calm in possession.”
Mainoo partnered with Casemiro in the first half and Scott McTominay in the second. However, Casemiro’s aggressive play led to concerns about a potential red card, prompting manager Erik ten Hag to make a substitution.
Mainoo’s remarkable start to his professional career has prompted calls from fans for Gareth Southgate to consider him for the England national team.
However, Richards expressed caution about rushing Mainoo into international duty too soon, fearing it could hinder his development:
“In regards to England, it’s always a tough one. On ability, I would take him. Because he’s dealt with the whole pressure of United and fitting in. Do you remember a couple of games back [December’s 2-0 defeat to West Ham United] he actually made a mistake that led to a goal, but he bounced back from that, it didn’t affect him, so you see his true character there.”
Richards emphasized the importance of allowing Mainoo to develop without undue pressure, drawing parallels with Jude Bellingham’s experience outside the English media spotlight. While acknowledging Mainoo’s exceptional form, he cautioned against overwhelming him with premature expectations:
“The only thing is, if we rush him too soon, is it going to spoil him? Is that going to be too much pressure? I was listening to an interview with Mourinho and he said what’s special about Jude is that he had his football away from the English media hype.
He was able to go about his business without that pressure. And I just worry that if Mainoo were to go and play and start and do well, are we going to put too much pressure on him? But I agree, in that position, apart from Rice, there’s no one playing better. It’s a conundrum.”
