Michail Antonio lauded Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo saying that he was playing “years ahead of his game.”
On the most recent episode of the Footballer’s Football Podcast, the forward for West Ham United discussed about the young Man United player.
After making his first Premier League star in November, Mainoo has been a constant name in the United starting line up.
Earlier this month, the 18-year-old scored his first Premier League goal, a fantastic solo effort against Wolves that gave the Red Devils a 4-3 victory.
His presence of mind, his calmness on the ball and his ability to run the tempo of the game is evident whenever he plays for the club. Among players who are more experienced, he looks like he has been playing top level football for years.
United are now enjoying a five-game winning streak across all competitions, with four of those games occurring in the league thanks in large part to Mainoo’s performances.
Speaking about the demands placed on the Red Devils players on the Footballer’s Football Podcast, Antonio said he thought Mainoo would be under the least pressure right now.
“I think it has to be Mainoo. Because of how he plays,” said the West Ham striker.
“He doesn’t need to change and doesn’t have the pressures. He doesn’t need to score any goals.
“But he has got the quality now and is playing years ahead of his game. He’s so calm on the ball.
“Whereas Garnacho and Hojlund they have to keep scoring, they have a harder job.
“So Mainoo I think has less pressure but he has the quality, so that’s why I think he will keep shining.
“Whereas Hojlund has the most pressure because he has been brought in.”
After experiencing expensive flops, United finally have an academy product who is a special talent and can be a part of the club for the next decade.
The way he is growing with every game is encouraging for every United supporter. Erik ten Hag deserves praise for easing him into the team and using him just at the right time so that Mainoo can bring out his best performances.
The youth of United has carried the club in recent weeks, with Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund both chipping in with Mainoo to shoulder the responsibility of making the team tick and go in the right direction.
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