Casemiro heaps praise on 'exceptional' Man Utd wonderkid

Cameron Smith

• 20 Feb 2024 22:14 GMT
• 3 min read

Manchester United star Casemiro believes Kobbie Mainoo will become “one of the best midfielders in the Premier League” after an outstanding start to life in the Red Devils first-team.

Mainoo only made his English top flight debut against Everton in late November, but he is already one of the first names on the team sheet at Old Trafford and has been tipped for a senior England call-up ahead of this summer’s European Championship.

The 18-year-old has adapted to life in the Premier League extremely quickly and his midfield partner Casemiro believes he will have an illustrious career in Man Utd’s first-team.

What has Casemiro said?

The Brazil international spoke to the Man Utd club website about Mainoo and was eager to shower the teenager with praise.

“First off, I'd like to congratulate Kobbie,” Casemiro began. “He's only 18 and he's already a starter at a club like Manchester United.

“It's not easy, there's a lot of pressure. But I think United will have a top player for the next years, easily.

“He's a top player. He's exceptional. He's a humble, hard-working player. He knows how to listen. He's a great player.

“Since I play alongside him, I know Manchester United will have one of the best midfielders in the Premier League for the next years, easily.

“I think we have to recognise his value. He's a great kid. I'm very happy that he's on our side. As long as he keeps his head on straight, just as he's doing now, I think we'll have a great player for many, many years here at United.”

He added: “Obviously, it's a long and tough journey. I always try to tell him this: that things aren't easy, that you always have to work hard.

“You always need to want more and more. That's what football is. But you can tell he has his head on straight. He's a great player. Without a doubt, we'll have a great player on our side for a long time."