With the failures at Manchester United over the past two years, it is easy to forget there are some elite talents currently in the squad.
Ruben Amorim has a huge task on his hands to turn around his prospects at Manchester United after finishing 15th in the league table last season.
Despite these struggles, there is optimism around the club that the 2025/26 campaign will be improved.
This is part due to a belief that Amorim is tactically knowledgeable enough to fix the existing issues, but also that recruitment will play a major role.
United signed Matheus Cunha earlier this summer to improve the attack on the left side by a massive amount. Additionally, Bryan Mbeumo joined United on Monday to be a similarly huge upgrade on the right side.
However, as good as the recruits are, there is also a crop of top players who can raise their levels and be impactful. Now Rio Ferdinand has spoken about one in particular.
Rio Ferdinand says Kobbie Mainoo is interesting to him
One player who needs to be raising himself up a level for Amorim this coming season is Kobbie Mainoo.
Mainoo needs to fulfil his potential at United this season, and early signs are that he is going to achieve this.
Speaking on his podcast, Rio Ferdinand Presents, the legendary defender discussed his thoughts on Mainoo.
“Kobbie Mainoo is interesting to me; he really fascinates me. I think he was phenomenal with England in the tournament. He shone in that and before with United; he was scoring and influencing games, but it hasn’t quite gone right for him.
Due to not kicking on last season, Mainoo’s contract talks with United have dragged on, but this should still be resolved despite frustrations from the player’s camp.
During pre-season, Mainoo impressed for United against Leeds, demonstrating an improved passing range.
Ferdinand is not the only club legend to be discussing Mainoo.
Michael Carrick sends advice to Kobbie Mainoo
In the interview with Ferdinand, former United midfielder Michael Carrick was asked his thoughts on Mainoo.
“What would you be saying to him if you were at the club now?” Ferdinand asked Carrick.
“I think that’s quite normal, really. I had it during my third year at West Ham. I was terrible. I came out of the England squad, and I couldn’t put it together.
“I’m not saying he’s terrible, by the way. I think it’s gone differently for him, but so many players can have that.
“[He] needs stubbornness to stick at it and keep believing. It’s tough at times, and you need people to stick with you and believe in you and trust you, and think that you’ll be alright. Don’t worry about it. You’re doing the right things, you keep meaning to do the right things, you’ll be fine, you’re good enough.
“We’re quite quick from season to season to say ‘he’s good enough or he’s not good enough’; we were given a lot more time.”
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
