Juan Mata has admitted he has been impressed with the maturity of Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo after helping England reach the Euro 2024 final.
Mainoo, 19, has excelled since being handed his chance for the Three Lions in Germany. The teenager came on for the second-half of the final group game against Slovenia and has not looked back from that point.
He has started in each of the three knockout fixtures and stayed on for the entire 90 minutes during the 2-1 victory over the Netherlands on Wednesday. Despite his relative lack of experience in the senior game, Mainoo has showed class and composure at the very highest level and is set to start in the final against Spain on Sunday.
It has been a fine breakout season for Mainoo, who only made his first Premier League start in the 3-0 win at Everton last November but has emerged as one of the best young players in Europe. And ex-United midfielder Mata has since lauded Mainoo and outlined one key asset that has impressed him most.
“He looks so mature with the ball, he’s always asking for the ball and taking responsibility,” Mata told BBC Radio 5 Live. “I asked the guys at United and they say he has been like that always. Doesn’t matter if he’s at Old Trafford with 75,000 or playing in the academy. We are seeing a generation of players that are playing in a way that looks like they have been in the Premier League for 10 years.”
After impressing for England against Netherlands, United boss Erik ten Hag highlighted the performance of Mainoo. “As much as I hoped Oranje would win, I enjoyed Kobbie Mainoo,” Ten Hag said, via The Mirror. “What a talent. Technically but also mentally. Kobbie is a great kid. I really thought he was one of the best players on the pitch against Holland. He was crucial in England’s dominance in the first half hour.”
