Ferdinand suggests Ten Hag may have found the next Cesc Fabregas at Man Utd

Rio Ferdinand is the latest to heap praise on Manchester United youngster Kobbie Mainoo following his sensational full debut against Everton on Sunday.

The Red Devils academy graduate displayed the kind of technical quality and composure that defied his years at Goodison Park, which helped Erik ten Hag's men run out 3-0 winners. Mainoo has long been highly thought of within the United ranks, but now the rest of the Premier League has been exposed to his quality.

Ferdinand has waxed lyrical over Mainoo's performance and even likened him to a Premier League legend in ex-Arsenal and Chelsea star Cesc Fabregas. The 18-year-old is expected to feature once again on Wednesday night when United take on Galatasaray in the Champions League.

Speaking on his Vibe with FIVE podcast, Ferdinand claimed: "At 18 years old, especially centre midfield, very rarely do you see a composed performance like that. Away from home, it’s crash, bang, wallop at Everton at Goodison under the circumstances they went there.

"The way he was dropping in between the centre-backs, not even getting it and bopping it one or two touches, he was getting it, taking touches, drifting by people or away from people, away from the challenge and the press, and then releasing it. That’s what these centre-backs and goalkeeper have been waiting for – someone who can alleviate that pressure and beat that press."

The United legend continued, citing Mainoo in the same sentence as a great of the game like Fabregas by adding: "I thought about it the other day, 18-year-olds coming into the first team in the Premier League who gave performances like that… [Cesc] Fabregas? I’m not saying he [Mainoo] is as good as these guys, there have been more explosive but I’m talking about