Graeme Souness says Man Utd star Kobbie Mainoo has still not ‘become a good player’

Graeme Souness believes Kobbie Mainoo has not yet become a ‘good player’ and said the midfielder is not ready to be starting regularly for Manchester United.

Mainoo broke into the United team in November last year and went on to become a crucial cog in Erik ten Hag’s side in the second half of the season.

The 19-year-old went on to earn an England call-up in March before playing a key role at Euro 2024 as the Three Lions reached the final in Germany.

However, the midfielder has failed to reach the same heights so far this season and struggled in the middle of the park as his side slumped to a 3-0 home defeat against Liverpool.

Mainoo, in particular, was caught in possession for Mohamed Salah’s second-half strike, and Souness believes that the youngster is still not ready to start each week for United.

‘I have to say this, I’m not being unkind, Mainoo might be a player, but it’s so Man United,’ Souness told talkSPORT. ‘This is not to be critical of Man United, it’s never been any different.

‘But when someone comes on the scene at Man United, in my days they were the ‘new George Best’, or the ‘new Bobby Charlton’, the ‘new Denis Law’.

‘It is FC Hollywood, they call Bayern Munich in Germany ‘FC Hollywood’, that’s Man United here.

‘If anyone shows anything, they’re put into superstardom category, way before they’ve even become a good player.

Souness continued: ‘Mainoo right now should be a player that’s flitting in and out of a good team – not coming in and being asked to stand up and play against the very best teams.

‘He might be a player one day, but he’s certainly not the go-to man at United like they’re making him out to be in midfield.’

New summer signing Manuel Ugarte is primed to come into United’s central midfield when fully fit, but Mainoo may be afforded more time in the starting XI after the disappointing display from Casemiro which saw him hauled off at half-time on the weekend.

Speaking on the Brazillian after the game, Ten Hag said: ‘You know the game and he knows the game. He will go on and we will go on.

‘He’s a great player. We will continue this season to improve the team and the players.

‘He improved and has shown so often that he is a great character. He has won everything in his career.

‘We all have seen great moments from him and him be decisive in midfield. He will show that again and will bounce back.’

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