England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo shared his deep-seated admiration for one Manchester United legend and waxed lyrical about the “way he played” as a player.
Kobbie Mainoo enjoyed a breakout season at Old Trafford last season and was widely praised for his performances at Manchester United.
The 19-year-old missed the opening of the 2023-24 season due to a pre-season injury in 2023 before returning and establishing himself in the first team.
Mainoo started all 24 Premier League matches he played in last season, with the United midfielder scoring three times and registering a single assist.
He stepped up on the big moments for United, including scoring the winners against Wolves in the Premier League and in the FA Cup final against Manchester City.
Mainoo’s impressive campaign under manager Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford earned him his senior England call-up during the March international break.
The Stockport-born player went on to play a starring role for former England manager Gareth Southgate during the knockout rounds of Euro 2024 in Germany.
Mainoo praises Man Utd legend
Kobbie Mainoo has firmly established himself in the Manchester United first team and is expected to play a key role under Erik ten Hag this season.
Ten Hag has turned to the England international as his first-choice midfielder, with former Real Madrid star Casemiro often paired alongside Mainoo.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Mainoo was asked who would be his favourite United player when he was growing up.
The Three Lions star wasted no time in picking none other than Wayne Rooney, having previously praised the influence that the United legend had on him.
“Rooney. Just the way he played,” Mainoo said.
“The fact he could do everything. Score goals, great goals. You know, came in the team young as well.”
Wayne Rooney arrived at Old Trafford when he was only 18 years old after United signed him from Everton in 2004 for a deal worth £27m.
The 38-year-old former United striker had burst onto the scene at Everton as a youngster before continuing to build on his legend at Old Trafford.
Rooney went on to eclipse Sir Bobby Charlton as United’s all-time leading scorer during his illustrious playing career at the Premier League club.
Rooney is a big fan of Mainoo
United legend Wayne Rooney lavished high praise on Three Lions midfielder Mainoo during this summer’s Euros after England reached the final in Germany.
Mainoo came within touching distance of his first piece of major silverware with England, only for the Three Lions to suffer a 2-1 defeat to Spain in the final.
Speaking ahead of the Euro 2024 final, Rooney tipped Mainoo to “become one of the best players in the world” and was in complete awe at his maturity as a player.
“Over the next few years, Mainoo is going to become one of the best players in the world,” he wrote for The Times in July.
“His maturity is so impressive. The other youngsters — Williams, Yamal, Bellingham, Foden — all play in attacking positions whereas Mainoo, at 19, is excelling in one that requires enormous discipline and game understanding.”
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