16 January 2024 , 09:52
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Rio Ferdinand has lauded Kobbie Mainoo after the Manchester United youngster's impressive display against Tottenham.
The United academy graduate, 18, has won plenty of plaudits this season after being handed his senior bow by Erik ten Hag and was one of the standout performers in Sunday's entertaining 2-2 draw.
Mainoo has quickly established himself as a key player since returning from injury in late November - and his approach since breaking into the first-team fold has left. a major impression on Ferdinand.
Speaking on his Five YouTube channel, Ferdinand said of Mainoo: “He seems coachable, which is a big big thing. Normally you go up to the next stage and you’re a little nervous, you simplify your game a bit more and differently and you go, ‘That’s not the player I saw in the 18s’. But he can transfer his playing ability and style through the age groups into the first team.
“That cool calm and collected look as an 18 year-old at a club filled with hysteria and negativity is something to look at and something to be very positive about in the coming years. He does the simple things really well and he can do the difficult things as well. He can get out of tight situations.”
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Mainoo has started seven of Manchester United's last nine Premier League matches after recovering from an ankle injury sustained in pre-season. Prior to that setback, the midfield maestro had been earmarked by fans for a major role this term after impressing during the club's tour of the United States.
His emergence has been one of the few bright spots this year for Ten Hag, who is under pressure after overseeing United's worst start to a season in decades.
Join the debate! What have you made of Mainoo this season? Let us know here.
Mainoo has made a big impression at Manchester United this season (BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images)The Dutchman has made no secret of his admiration for the youngster, either. He also lavished praise on Mainoo following his mature performance against United's arch-rivals Liverpool last month.
"If you are good enough, you are old enough and he proved that,” Ten Hag said of Mainoo following his performance after the match, which ended 0-0.
“When he gets used more often to those games, we will get even more joy from it. Because then his scanning and his speed of action, he can get such passes, three or four passes in and get switches in, and he is the player who can really hurt opponents.”