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Wes Brown is confident Manchester United teenager Kobbie Mainoo possesses the temperament to take his rapid ascent to the England squad in his stride.
Gareth Southgate, the manager of the England team, recently selected the 18-year-old player for the upcoming matches against Brazil and Belgium. This comes only four months after the young player’s first start in the Premier League, which happened in a 3-0 victory for his team, managed by Erik ten Hag, against Everton.
Mainoo, a midfielder, has played in 20 matches this season. Brown, who is 44 years old and has first-hand knowledge of climbing through the youth system at United and later representing England, believes the young player will not become too confident due to his impressive progress.
“According to Brown, who is promoting United’s upcoming friendly against Rangers in Edinburgh, the player’s calm demeanor is evident in his style of play.”
“I don’t anticipate him being affected by external distractions, a valuable quality to possess. His focus is solely on football, which is typical for newcomers.”
“Since his arrival, he has assumed a level of on-field responsibility that many young players typically do not take on.”
“He has displayed composure while in possession of the ball, and even when faced with opposition, his ability to navigate through and distribute the ball forward has proven challenging for other teams.”
Brown, who played over 300 games for United during Ferguson’s reign, currently holds an ambassador position at Old Trafford. He hopes to see Mainoo, who hails from Stockport, make a strong push for a spot on Southgate’s squad for the 2024 Euro tournament.
Brown stated, “He has always been highly valued by the club.” Brown also mentioned that due to injuries this season, the decision to include him may have been influenced, but he has also had to prove himself.
“After joining the team, he has consistently proven to be one of the top players, if not the top. Gareth clearly recognizes his abilities and it’s beneficial for him to be training with the (England) team and showcasing his skills. There’s even a chance he will play in a match.”
Due to his impressive skills and strong self-assurance at a relatively young age, he has certainly proven himself to be deserving of a spot on the team’s roster.
“Currently, if you were observing him, you would likely approve of his potential selection for the Euros. However, international soccer presents unique challenges and obstacles.”
“Hopefully, Gareth notices something in him that convinces him to take a chance on him. This has happened with other young players in the past, and they have succeeded greatly.”
Mainoo’s most recent impressive performance was in United’s FA Cup quarter-final win against Liverpool on Sunday, as the team has been playing much better since the start of the year.
On Sunday, Brown stated that the match at Old Trafford was one of the most impressive games he’s attended. If they maintain the same level of performance in the semi-final against Coventry, they have a chance to reach another final, which would be fantastic.
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“The recent loss of points by other teams in the league has presented us with a small chance of securing a spot in the top four, but we will need constant wins to maintain the pressure.”
The boost of confidence from Sunday will be greatly beneficial. While we are not perfect yet, maintaining the same attitude, belief, and hard work in future games, I believe we will earn even more points.
Source: independent.co.uk
