Sky Sports commentator Gary Neville reveals which Man Utd player Pep Guardiola would want in his Man City team
SKY SPORTS commentator Gary Neville has showered Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo with praise following his full debut for United.
The 18-year-old shone in what many regarded as a man-of-the-match performance in yesterday’s 3-0 victory over Everton.
GettyMainoo made an excellent full debut[/caption]
PAGary Neville was full of praise for the youngster[/caption]
The midfielder put in a composed performance which also included a crucial goal-line clearance in the first half.
And Neville paid his the ultimate compliment… although the United legend admitted it “hurt”.
The Sky pundit said: “It was impressive and there’s no point getting carried away by it because the reality is he’s got 17 or 18 years in front of him and he’s got a lot of work to do.
“He’s obviously got technical ability and skill, you don’t play for Manchester United in the first place if you haven’t got that, you don’t get picked by Erik ten Hag if you haven’t got that, but what you don’t know is how they’re going to handle it.
“He’s gone in here at Goodison Park, in what could have been the most ferocious atmospheres for many a year in a hostile environment, and he looked class.”
“I always judge players when it’s the most difficult part of the game. When Manchester United had their most difficult period in that first half just before half time for 20 minutes I thought he was the only player who showed up, the only player who still looked like himself.
“The biggest compliment I can pay him, and it hurts to say this, I hope people can take this in the right spirit… he looked like a Manchester City player.
“Honestly, I was watching him and thinking, ‘that’s a player that Pep Guardiola will be looking at and thinking, ‘I want him in my midfield, that’s what my midfield players do’.
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“Thankfully Man United have got him because he looks so composed, so graceful, always looking over his shoulder, knowing where everyone is, letting it run across his body.
Mainoo was United’s standout player during a busy pre-season that saw them play several top teams on tour in America.
Unfortunately for the youngster, he picked up an injury in a friendly against Real Madrid in August that meant fans haven’t seen what he can do until now.
Many have speculated that Moroccan star Sofyan Amrabat would not have been signed if Mainoo was fit to start the season, and Amrabat was benched in favour of the youngster yesterday.
Next up for United is a crucial trip to Istanbul to face Galatasaray.
It remains to be seen whether ten Hag will start the youngster again in a must-win game or continue to bed Mainoo in slowly after he returned from injury.
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