Souness Questions Mainoo’s Premier League Readiness
Liverpool legend Graeme Souness has cast doubt on Kobbie Mainoo’s ability to establish himself as a top-level Premier League player.
Speaking after Manchester United’s 3-0 defeat to Liverpool, Souness suggested that Mainoo, while potentially a talented player, is not yet ready for the demands of regular first-team football at a club like United.
“I have to say this, I’m not being unkind, Mainoo might be a player, but it’s so Man United,” Souness told talkSPORT. “When someone comes on the scene at Man United, in my days they were the ‘new George Best’, or the ‘new Bobby Charlton’, the ‘new Denis Law’. If anyone shows anything, they are put into the superstardom category, way before they have even become a good player.”
Souness believes Mainoo should be developing his skills at a lower level before being thrust into the spotlight at Old Trafford. “Mainoo right now should be a player that’s flitting in and out of a good team – not coming in and being asked to stand up and play against the very best teams,” he added.
The former Liverpool midfielder concluded that while Mainoo has potential, he is not yet the “go-to man” in United’s midfield.