Casemiro has hailed fellow Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo a "complete player" and has tipped him to be a mainstay for many years to come.
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- Mainoo enjoying stellar breakout season
- Casemiro hails youngster as "complete player"
- Boldly claims starlet will be at club for "next 15 years"
- Getty
WHAT HAPPENED?
The England youngster has excelled in his breakout season at Old Trafford, showing composure and maturity far beyond his 18 years. Mainoo cemented his place in United's setup thanks in part to Casemiro's injury early in the season, with the pair only playing together for the first time in January. At the age of 32 it seems likely the Brazilian will have to manage his minutes going into the last three years of his contract, but he certainly feels United are in good hands with a "complete player" like Mainoo.
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WHAT CASEMIRO SAID
The veteran midfielder told United's official magazine : "For those of us who work with him, it’s been no surprise to see him scoring and playing really well in games. I think we have a complete player in Kobbie – aggressive, looks after the ball, a player who wants the ball. I would say that if Kobbie continues the way he’s going with this mentality, continues training hard and doing things right, Manchester United have a great player for the next 15 years.”
- (C)GettyImages
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Casemiro's prediction is certainly a bold one, but it does point towards how valued Mainoo is at United. After an injury of his own disrupted his start, the 18-year-old has made 19 senior appearances under Erik ten Hag this term, scoring two goals in that time. Mainoo's future, at least according to Casemiro, seems all but wrapped up at club level, although he faces an international tug-of-war in the coming months. Gareth Southgate is yet to call him up to the senior England squad despite him representing the Three Lions at youth level, while Ghana have reportedly made an approach for him to switch allegiances to the Black Stars.
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WHAT NEXT FOR MAINOO?
Southgate is set to make that squad announcement on Thursday, which will be the last England camp before Euro 2024 in the summer. Mainoo, though, will no doubt be focused on matters at club level, as United face arch rivals Liverpool in a blockbuster FA Cup quarter-final showdown on Sunday.
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