Casemiro has praised Kobbie Mainoo’s talent, describing the young midfielder as both the present and the future of Manchester United.
Mainoo rose through the ranks at the Manchester United academy and made his debut for the first team in 2022, shortly after signing his first professional contract at the club.
While he enjoyed early promise during his early days and went on to play a key role in England’s run to the final of the 2024 European Championships, the 20-year-old was only a peripheral figure under former head coach Ruben Amorim.
The England midfielder was linked with moves away from the club on several occasions, but the departure of Amorim in January paved way for him to make a sensational return to the team.
Since the arrival of Carrick, Mainoo has started every game and has played the full 90 minutes in all but one of those matches, forming a strong partnership with Casemiro at the heart of the midfield.
“Kobbie is the present and the future. I think that he is one of the best no.8s and can be for that for the next 12 years. He is a player I really like”, Casemiro, who is expected to leave Manchester United at the end of the campaign, stated.
“He always wants the ball. It is true that football can’t change your mentality, but Kobbie demonstrated that he hasn’t changed his focus once. He has to continue focusing like he is now and continue playing the important role he is now. But what a player he is, he is a great player.
“He has demonstrated this, in the Euros final with England, he has demonstrated it in finals, he scored in the FA Cup (in the 2024 final win over Manchester City). He is the present and the future”, the Brazilian midfielder continued.
The Red Devils will return to Premier League action on April 13, when they welcome Leeds United to Old Trafford, hoping to continue their quest towards Champions League qualification.
Olakitan is a young writer with a strong passion for sports, having gained experience with IndyPress and Nimelssa Press. His enthusiasm for sports inspired him to cover events both within his school and beyond. With a deep understanding of the game and a refined skillset, he brings sports coverage to a broad, global audience in a way that’s engaging and accessible.
