Kobbie Mainoo failed to seize his opportunity for Manchester United against Brighton with a disappointing cameo performance.
With Manchester United 3-0 up and cruising, Ruben Amorim turned to the bench, giving a larger portion of minutes to Kobbie Mainoo than usual.
Despite the good opportunity, Mainoo failed to impress for United, almost vindicating Amorim’s refusal to budge on the 20-year-old’s game-time.
Mainoo’s introduction was supposed to signal the game’s finale, but instead it inadvertently reignited the clash. This won’t earn Mainoo any trust as he continues to battle for a bigger role under Amorim.
Now, Rio Ferdinand has shared some advice with the young midfielder.
Rio Ferdinand wants Kobbie Mainoo to follow Casemiro example
Mainoo is not the first and won’t be the last player to drop out of favour with Amorim, but he can learn from those before him.
Speaking on his YouTube channel Rio Ferdinand Presents, the legendary defender advised Mainoo to learn from Casemiro in this regard, opposed to Marcus Rashford.
“Watch and learn. There was a player being told he’s not good enough for Manchester United, exactly what Mainoo’s been through. I think character-wise, personality-wise, there’s a lot to learn from Casemiro.
“Yes there’s football-wise too but they are very different players.
“You’ve got Casemiro, a man in form and Bruno the most exciting player we’ve got, it’s going to be hard for Kobbie to get in here right now.”
After the Brighton win, Amorim revealed that Casemiro was once his last pick for midfielder, even behind Toby Collyer the head coach admitted.
Amorim said that Casemiro was an example for everyone, and it is one which Mainoo must learn from, instead of the manner in which Rashford handled his issues.
“That’s what I think a lot of fans would have wanted from Rashford [Casemiro’s fight], from Sancho from Antony, those guys have gone elsewhere now.
“Especially Rashford because he’s homegrown. Just stay and fight, be here and fight for it, be a Man Utd player, hold on, grit your teeth and hold on by your fingernails. But sometimes it’s just not the way.”
Casemiro is the ultimate professional and Mainoo should be soaking up knowledge
Casemiro has been Mainoo’s teammate now for almost three years and if the United academy graduate has his head screwed on, he will have been a sponge during this time, learning everything he can from his iconic teammate.
The manner in which Mainoo handled his disappointing start to the season was a promising sign, as instead of going nuclear, he quietly requested a loan for game time, but worked hard before during and after this scenario.
Mainoo’s effort has never been doubted, and if he can continue this he will win Amorim over, being too talented to not.
The season is still in its infancy and Mainoo will get minutes as Amorim loosens up with the pressure easing by the week and his hard work will come off in the end, so long as he follows Casemiro’s example.
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