Wayne Rooney now feels that one Manchester United first-team player has improved more than England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo in the 2025-26 Premier League season.
Kobbie Mainoo had a strong end to the 2025-26 Premier League campaign after a tough earlier period for the 21-year-old Manchester United star at Old Trafford.
The Stockport-born talent has started in all but one of Michael Carrick’s 17 Premier League matches since January after Ruben Amorim was sacked as United manager.
Mainoo has become an integral United first-team player again under Michael Carrick and he has since earned a place in England’s 2026 World Cup squad as well.
If Elliot Anderson is £125m… What is Kobbie Mainoo’s market value right now?
Not that he's going anywhere…🔒
Forget Kobbie Mainoo, Man Utd icon Wayne Rooney thinks that Luke Shaw is the most improved Premier League player
Despite Kobbie Mainoo’s resurgence in form at Old Trafford, Wayne Rooney’s attention on the most improved player was on former teammate Luke Shaw.
Luke Shaw finally overcame the injury-plagued problems that have haunted his spell by starting all 38 of Manchester United’s Premier League matches this season.
The 30-year-old England left-back had played a key defensive role for both United manager Carrick and Ruben Amorim over the course of the 2025-26 campaign.
Speaking on his podcast, United legend Rooney felt that Three Lions star Shaw had finally unlocked the ‘consistency’ that had been missing during his Red Devils spell.
When asked about the ‘most improved’ Premier League player this season, he said on BBC Sport’s The Wayne Rooney Show: “No, I think for me, Luke Shaw, I think Luke Shaw has been [the most improved].
“And I know he’s an experienced player now, but I think his levels this season have been much better than they have been over the recent seasons.”
Do Manchester United need to replace Luke Shaw this summer?
Or do you trust Harry Amass and Patrick Dorgu going forward👀
Why Wayne Rooney did not pick Kobbie Mainoo for the most improved Premier League player ahead of Luke Shaw
Rooney and his United-supporting co-host were teased about not picking Three Lions star Mainoo for the most improved Premier League player this season.
Man Utd’s all-time scorer hit back by saying that Mainoo did not surpass Luke Shaw because the England midfielder’s biggest problem was that he was simply not playing.
“I don’t think it’s most improved because it was just, [Mainoo] weren’t playing,” Rooney said.
“So, you can’t say good or bad.”
Mainoo netted once and registered three assists in his 30 matches across all competitions for Man Utd in the 2025-26 campaign at Old Trafford.
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