Kobbie Mainoo has opened up on the impact Casemiro has had on his career at Manchester United, while sharing that World Cup talk has been put on the backburner as the Red Devils push for Champions League qualification
Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo has disclosed that World Cup discussions are currently on pause as the Red Devils pursue Champions League qualification. Having previously been sidelined from the starting XI, the 21-year-old has become a crucial component of Michael Carrick’s team and heads into Sunday’s clash with rivals Liverpool following a new lucrative five-year contract.
The England international has been amongst the regular fixtures in Carrick’s squad despite facing an uncertain future under former boss Ruben Amorim.
With Mainoo’s long-term future now secured, it seems he will be amongst the core players as the recruitment team orchestrates a transformation at the heart of United’s midfield – with Carlos Baleba and Elliot Anderson amongst those reportedly targeted.
Get MEN Premium now for just £1 HERE – or get involved in our United WhatsApp group by clicking HERE. You can also join our United Facebook page by clicking HERE and don’t miss out on our brilliant selection of newsletters HERE.
Casemiro, who is enjoying his most prolific goalscoring campaign at Old Trafford, will depart the club at the end of the season, bringing the curtain down on the Premier League phase of his career.
The Brazilian’s presence at the Theatre of Dreams allowed Mainoo to observe one of his footballing idols at close quarters.
He anticipates an emotional send-off for the midfield veteran, Mainoo told GQ Magazine: “Yeah, for me, Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes and Tom Heaton are all still role models in my life and especially on the football pitch, how they carry themselves now, they approach the game.
“It’s important to always have them people who you want to learn things from, whether that’s in football or off the pitch and life.
“When I was younger, the season before he joined [in 2022], he was always in my FIFA team. So to get to play with him and learn off him every day, it’s been a blessing.
“Definitely going to be emotional when he leaves because the impact he’s had on my career so far has been amazing. I don’t think he knows that.”
FOLLOW OUR MAN UNITED FB PAGE! Latest news and analysis via the MEN’s Manchester United Facebook page
England will be desperate to shake off the heartbreak of back-to-back defeats in major tournament finals, following their loss to Spain at Euro 2024.
The Three Lions were unable to avenge their penalty shootout defeat to Italy in 2021, but the arrival of Thomas Tuchel and the upcoming tournament in North America has breathed fresh optimism into the camp.
For Mainoo, strong performances in the latter half of the season could yet earn him a place in the German’s plans for their opening group fixture against Croatia on 17 June.
The midfielder has, however, acknowledged that World Cup talk remains firmly on the back burner, with United’s push for European football taking precedence.
The Red Devils are on the brink of securing their place in elite European competition, sitting 10 points ahead of sixth-placed Brentford. Mainoo said: “We’ve got a big end of the season and we’re trying to finish as high as possible so there’s not much World Cup chat, it’s more the task at hand.
“It’s easy for others to look at the bigger picture and see the things that are coming up, but the focus can’t really waver from the games in front of us because the Premier League is the hardest league in the world.
“Every team’s dangerous. So if we take our eye off the ball, you pay for it.”






You must be logged in to post a comment Login