BRYAN ROBSON: I see Kobbie Mainoo train. He can tackle, pass and dribble
Kobbie Mainoo could start for England at the European Championship. He is that good and he is only going to get better.
I’d have no qualms telling Gareth Southgate to pick him because, despite only being 18, Kobbie has shown nothing but maturity throughout his Manchester United career.
He has played above his age group through the years, he excelled in the FA Youth Cup and then in December he played in a cauldron atmosphere at Anfield without missing a beat.
On Sunday against Liverpool in the FA Cup, some of his movement, his quick feet, his composure… you had to admire him. He was terrific.
I’d be cautious before saying the sky’s the limit because he can still make improvements, but the great thing with this kid is that he is willing to listen and learn.
I first saw him in the FA Youth Cup when he was in the same side as Alejandro Garnacho who beat Nottingham Forest in the 2022 final. He had impressed me earlier in the competition and, being a midfielder, I was keen to see what he was about. He had everything. He could pass, tackle, dribble and had goals in him.
I saw him again last summer in the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, USA, when he came on tour and played in a 2-0 win over Arsenal.
He was facing Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli, so I thought he would be up against it, but he ran the show. He had no fear and was making excellent decisions with the ball.
He was man of the match until he had to go off.
He has since proved that was no fluke. He is comfortable in that company. I’ve been down to watch him train and he is exactly the same.
He is not flustered by the big names alongside him. He is demanding the ball, not afraid to show for it. He is brimming with confidence but he is not arrogant. I’ve not
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