BBC pundit Danny Murphy says Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo is already a “better footballer” than Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo despite still only being 18 years of age.
Caicedo cost a British record £115m when he made the move to Stamford Bridge last summer but Murphy claims that Mainoo has shown more ability since breaking into United’s first team earlier this season:
“I saw a player at Brighton who’s neat and tidy on the ball because they play to him all the time… He’s got neat and tidy feet, but he’s not creative. He’s more of a destroyer with his tenacity and bombing about. He’s not Declan Rice physicality. He’s not Rodri physicality. He’s a £30-40million player.
“Kobbie Mainoo, he’s in a chaotic Manchester United midfield that’s got no real help around him or legs. I’m not seeing that from Caicedo. You could argue Mainoo is a better footballer than Caicedo.”
United have a real gem and they didn’t spend a penny
One of the bonuses of having a strong youth system is that you can bring through talents such as Mainoo without having to invest huge sums in the transfer market.
While not every youngster at Carrington possesses Mainoo’s ability, United have consistently produced top-drawer players in their academy over the years.
The hype around Mainoo does need to be tempered slightly
It does seem like every pundit and player wants to have their say on the teenager at the moment. Only yesterday, West Ham striker Michail Antonio hailed Mainoo as a “frightening” young talent.
After scoring an outstanding goal against Liverpool last week, it’s not surprising that there is so much talk about the midfielder, but it’s important to point out that he is still very young.
Despite his outstanding potential, it’s probably wise for fans, and pundits for that matter, to keep their expectations in check and allow Mainoo the chance to develop at his own speed.
