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Januzaj, Rashford, Garnacho - the clamour for Kobbie Mainoo highlights age-old problem at Manchester United

Adnan Januzaj, Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho are among the young Manchester United players to face unreasonably high expectations early on in their careers as a consequence of the first-team's struggles. Kobbie Mainoo is also about to face that burden.

Kobbie Mainoo, Dan Gore and Hannibal Mejbri of Manchester United(Image: 2023 Manchester United FC)

Manchester United are in desperate need of a lift, and they got a welcome one on Monday ahead of a vital Champions League clash with Galatasaray.


United's poor start to the new season cannot be attributed entirely to their ongoing injury crisis, but it has certainly been a contributing factor, with Erik ten Hag's options limited when it comes to squad selection.


These options should be boosted by Antony's return, though it was noticeable that the most excitement on social media centered on Kobbie Mainoo's return to team training.


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The 18-year-old is rightfully one of the most exciting players at the club right now, but some supporters are wrongly labelling him as a saviour in their hour of need.


Mainoo is deserving of acclaim after an impressive pre-season, and he would most likely have been a big winner from the current injury crisis had he not suffered one himself.

Ten Hag is a big fan of the teenage midfielder and had penciled him in for a senior squad role prior to his unfortunate foot injury just five minutes into a pre-season defeat to Real Madrid.

Mainoo is a technically gifted midfielder with the physical qualities to match. Not only is he capable of dictating a match with his close control and creative flair, but he also has the priceless combative skills that will be crucial if he is to ever make it in the Premier League.


Most importantly, though, he is still down to earth. The downfall of many youngsters can be the external pressure applied to them and them believing their own hype before they have made it.

Mainoo doesn't lack any self-belief, but he is well aware that he is only at the beginning of his journey and has a lot of hard work to do yet. It is important that the fans realise that as well.

It is right that he does have something to offer the team right now due to his enormous potential, but it is only that, and he needs to be given the time to fulfill it at his own speed.


Even with United's ongoing midfield issues, it would be wrong to expect a lot from Mainoo at such a young age, especially when you take a step back and remember just how inexperienced he actually is.

He has yet to start a game for the club and only has three minutes of competitive senior football under his belt. His pre-season performances were promising, but it is not a true gauge of progress either; see Andreas Pereira.

Ask any of his youth coaches, and they will point out that Mainoo still has some work to do with his passing, something the player is well aware of himself as well.

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There is a feeling he could be more of a threat higher up the pitch, and he might still need to go out on loan before he is really ready to be put into the United side on a permanent basis.

He is clearly deserving of a chance once he is fully fit again, though he is also just as deserving of some patience before expectations can be raised on him.

Mainoo might be the latest starboy, but he's still more of a boy than a star.

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