Rio Ferdinand has insisted that Manchester United star Kobbie Mainoo should attempt to emulate the success of two talented players in the Premier League.
Kobbie Mainoo has enjoyed a stunning season so far for Manchester United and the teenage sensation has been widely praised after his emergence in the first team.
The 18-year-old United midfielder missed the early stages of the campaign due to injury before returning to the squad and making a lasting impression at Old Trafford.
Mainoo has become a key midfield figure for United manager Erik ten Hag and impressed with his confidence and calmness on the ball during matches.
The Stockport-born player made his first Premier League start last November against Everton and earned rave reviews for his display in the 3-0 win at Goodison Park.
Mainoo has since found the back of the net in the 4-2 away win against Newport County in the FA Cup and scored a dramatic winner in the 4-3 victory over Wolves.
The United midfielder produced another solid performance in the 2-1 win against Luton Town on Sunday, with Ian Wright dropping a huge compliment on Mainoo.
Mainoo’s performances in a United top this season have also caught the eye of Rio Ferdinand, who boldly compared the teenager’s style of play to one AC Milan legend.
Ferdinand talks Man Utd star Mainoo
Kobbie Mainoo’s remarkable season at Old Trafford has even led to calls for Gareth Southgate to include the Manchester United star in his England squad for Euro 2024.
The United midfielder has played for England at youth level, but Mainoo remains uncapped at senior level and could represent either Ghana or the Three Lions.
Speaking on his VIBE with FIVE show, Rio Ferdinand has urged Mainoo to focus on being “consistent” and spotlighted two other players for him to take inspiration from.
The United legend believes that Arsenal star Bukayo Saka and Manchester City star Phil Foden are the “types” of players that Mainoo should pay close attention to at the moment.
“Just be consistent. If you’re just consistent at the level he’s at the moment, that is a very good level right now,” he said on his YouTube channel.
“What you normally get with young players is they come in and they start flying, then all of a sudden people get to know them and what else have you got to your game that is another surprise element? In your first season, you’re a surprise package.
“That’s why Saka, you’ve got to love him. That’s why Foden. These guys ain’t just flash in the pan that come in and have a good moment.
“These guys are showing it consistently, this is our level and we’re going like that [up].
“Kobbie Mainoo has to look at those types of guys and go, I don’t want to be one that just comes in. When I get worked out, what else have I got to bring?
“That’s why you keep working on the training pitch, that’s why you keep watching other players and thinking, what has he got in his game that I can bring into mine that weren’t there 18 months ago or six months ago.”
Ferdinand on what youngsters need to do
Ferdinand’s advice will no doubt be valuable for a youngster like Mainoo, who is securing regular first-team minutes and oozing confidence in the United squad.
Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden have both seen success at their respective clubs, but no doubt Mainoo will want to do the same at Old Trafford and can no doubt achieve it.
It is still early days for Mainoo in the United first team, but Erik ten Hag is a big admirer of the teenager and has praised his player’s elite mentality.
Ferdinand has insisted that the likes of ex-United teammate Cristiano Ronaldo and City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne have continued to add “bits” to their styles of play.
“That’s how you keep levelling up,” he said.
“That’s what the likes of Kevin De Bruyne [have] done, what Cristiano Ronaldo does, adding new bits to their game all the time.”
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