Owen Hargreaves backs Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo for superstardom
Former Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves claims Kobbie Mainoo has the potential to become the best player in the world following his recent performance.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0 / Author: Jonathan Browning
Following Manchester United's emphatic 4-0 Champions League victory over Sabah, young midfielder Kobbie Mainoo has received significant praise for his commanding display. Former United player Owen Hargreaves has hailed the academy graduate's maturity and technical ability under manager Michael Carrick.
Hargreaves believes Mainoo is already performing at an elite level, noting that his value far exceeds that of recent expensive arrivals at the club. "I’ve never seen Kobbie play bad. Every time I watch him play football, I think, 'How can somebody not play this young man?' He’s a fabulous football player. Academy-grown, didn’t cost a club a pound, and when you think about some of the fees these players are going for, he’s worth more than them all," Hargreaves told TNT Sports.
I think he’s gonna be a superstar. He’s only 21 years old, and he plays like he’s 30. That’s how he plays football in the most stressful environment – just chilled. Owen Hargreaves
The pundit emphasized that Mainoo's ability to glide with the ball and handle the pressure of the midfield role makes him the natural focal point for the team. His composure is set to be tested further as Manchester United turns its focus to the upcoming Premier League clash against Manchester City.
With Mainoo now established as a key component of Carrick's midfield, his performance in the Manchester derby will be vital for United's chances of disrupting their rivals' momentum.