Kobbie Mainoo has been backed to become a key figure in Manchester United’s midfield despite a difficult start to the new season.
Manchester United legend Bryan Robson believes the 21-year-old still has a bright future at Old Trafford, regardless of the club’s recent midfield additions.
Mainoo was restricted to a second-half cameo in United’s 2-0 Premier League opening defeat against Hull City on Saturday.
Robson sees Mainoo eventually partnering Bruno Fernandes in central midfield, with Youri Tielemans, Santos, and new signing Carlos Baleba competing for the remaining starting spot.
The former United captain was speaking on talkSPORT when he offered his assessment of Mainoo’s performance after coming off the bench against Hull.
Robson said: “When Kobe came in for the last 20 minutes [against Hull], apart from Harry Maguire, I thought he was the only one who took command of the ball and kept it nice and tidy.”
He added: “He looked OK. For me, I think he’ll get back into the team… I can see that’s the way it’ll go because I think Kobe will get better the more games he’s got.”
Robson also pointed to Mainoo’s frustrating World Cup experience as a significant reason behind his current lack of sharpness and form heading into the new campaign.
Robson continued: “Unfortunately for him, he went to the World Cup and he didn’t get any minutes on the pitch.”
Mainoo was the only outfield player in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad to go through the entire tournament without registering a single minute of playing time.
The midfielder had been on the brink of leaving United under former manager Ruben Amorim before eventually becoming a regular starter under Michael Carrick in the second half of last season.
His World Cup absence from the pitch appeared to have a knock-on effect, leaving him behind his midfield rivals in terms of match fitness and momentum at the start of this campaign.
Despite those setbacks, Robson remains confident that Mainoo possesses the quality to reclaim his place and establish himself as a long-term cornerstone of United’s engine room.