Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel has weighed in on Kobbie Mainoo’s impressive form.
Kobbie Mainoo has mastered timing.
In the week he finally signed his new Manchester United contract, Mainoo grabbed more headlines with a winner against Liverpool.
Mainoo’s timing was spot on as he arrived in the box at the perfect moment to hit a first-time winner at the Stretford End.
It was a great moment for the magical midfielder to score his first goal in a year for the club.
Red Devils legend Peter Schmeichel is among the figures chiming in on Mainoo, and he likes what he sees.
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Schmeichel on Mainoo
Peter Schmeichel believes one of the reasons Kobbie Mainoo has improved lately is his physical improvement.
Schmeichel praised Mainoo’s fitness and his pace, arguing the 21-year-old has ‘deceptive’ speed.
He told The Good, The Bad & The Football: “I saw Kobbie yesterday, he looks fitter than he has ever been, picked up a bit of pace as well.
“His style of play can look slow, it is deceptive, and he is not slow. He looked quick and he is an intelligent player.”
Schmeichel’s comments acted as a rebuke to Roy Keane’s comments about Mainoo’s pace.
Keane told Sky Sports: “The only problem is, when people talk about [whether] he’s explosive enough, can you improve on that if you’re not quick off the mark?”
Schmeichel’s comments suggest that Mainoo has quite clearly made an improvement in this area.
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Schmeichel praises Carrick coaching
Peter Schmeichel says Michael Carrick’s man management of Kobbie Mainoo deserves real credit, after the midfielder’s treatment under Ruben Amorim.
He said: “Michael has looked after him and he has not pushed him. Some managers are nervous about their positions and are pushing the players before they should.
“With Kobbie coming back into the team actually having an impact right from the beginning, I think that Michael, he’s seen that.
“And, you know, he’s taken so much care of him and trying to build him up as well.”
Mainoo has helped United to third in the Premier League, with Champions League qualification for 2026/27 now secured.
The midfielder’s talents are heading back to the stage they belong.
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