Graeme Souness insists Kobbie Mainoo shouldn't start every week at Manchester United – he's not good enough yet

FootballPremier LeagueWhite and Jordan on talkSPORT

By premiernews On Sep 2, 2024

Kobbie Mainoo isn't good enough to be a starter at Manchester United yet – it's unfair to ask him to lead the midfield.

That is the view of Liverpool legend Graeme Souness, who believes the 19-year-old is not a world-class talent. Red Devils Fans have described it as…

Mainoo was unable to prevent Liverpool from beating United at Old Trafford on SundayCredit: Getty

Mainoo has received rave reviews since breaking into the first team last season, where he has become a key player for both United and Manchester United. England.

He teenager He scored the winning goal in last season's FA Cup final against Manchester United, and also started in the Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain.

But he has been unable to help United get off to a good start to the campaign, with Sunday's goal. 3-0 defeat against rivals Liverpool, their second consecutive defeat in the Premier League.

Erik ten Hag's side never laid a glove on the Merseyside team, who at one point staged a exercise in the training camp with ease, much to the anger of United fans.

It was in midfield that United literally turned things around, with Casemiro guilty of two goals, and Mainoo's error led to the Reds' third.

And the talkSPORT expert Sensation believes Mainoo should be used in a rotational system by Ten Hag as he matures and becomes the player fans believe he already is.

Speaking about White and Jordan on Monday, he said: “I have to say this, I'm not being cruel, Mainoo may be a player but he's so Manchester United.

“I don't want to criticise Manchester United, they have never been any different.

“But when someone comes on the scene at Manchester United, in my time they were the 'new George Best', or the 'new Bobby Charlton', the 'new Denis Law'.

“It's FC Hollywood, in Germany they call Bayern Munich 'FC Hollywood', here it's Manchester United.

Mainoo has been a mainstay in the United line-up since breaking into the side last season.Credit: Getty

Souness believes Mainoo should not start every game for the Red DevilsCredit: talkSPORT

Mainoo struggled against the Reds, who inflicted United with their second Premier League defeat of the season.

“If someone proves something, they are put into superstar status, long before they become a good player.

“And Mainoo right now should be a player who comes in and out of a good team, not one who comes in and is asked to stand up and play against the best teams.

“He could be a player one day, but he's certainly not the key man at United that they make him out to be in midfield.

A Manchester United fan has criticised his team following their humiliating defeat to Liverpool at Old Trafford and has questioned whether the club needs relegation to get back to winning ways

“They were run over, they weren't in the game yesterday.”

Of Mainoo's four appearances this season, United have been on the losing side three times following their Community Shield defeat to City and subsequent top-flight losses to Brighton and Liverpool.

For Mainoo, his focus will now be on his international duties with England ahead of the Three Lions' upcoming Nations League clashes against Ireland and Finland.

JOIN THE DUGOUT

Have your say on all things talkSPORT by joining 'THE DUGOUT' – our new panel of listeners.

Our aim is to take a deeper look at your perspectives and make sure talkSPORT is the best it can be. Your voice matters and we want to hear it!

Present your innovative ideas and participate in fun locker room polls, surveys and debates.

Just by joining, you'll be entered into a draw to win one of four £50 Amazon vouchers, and you'll be entered into another draw for every survey you complete afterwards.

To join 'The DUGOUT' panel, please Click here.

Source link