Jamie Carragher admits he is envious that ‘real superstar’ Kobbie Mainoo plays for Manchester United rather than Liverpool.
Mainoo has enjoyed a rapid and remarkable rise this season, starring for England during the recent international break having only made his first Premier League start in November.
The teenager has become an increasingly important member of Erik ten Hag’s squad and was fast-tracked into the England camp after a U-turn from Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate.
Mainoo made his England debut in the 1-0 defeat to Brazil and then impressed in the 2-2 draw with Belgium at Wembley.
Such was Mainoo’s impact, many pundits have stated that the 18-year-old will not only feature but start for England at this summer’s European Championships in Germany.
Ex-England defender Carragher has also been impressed by Mainoo’s development and insists he would readily ‘take’ the midfielder at his former club Liverpool.
Asked which player from Old Trafford he would most like to see playing at Anfield, Carragher said on The Overlap: ‘I think I’d probably take the young kid, Mainoo.
‘His age is the number one reason, I think he looks like a superstar and he could go on to be a real superstar.’
Carragher also debated whether Marcus Rashford would be an upgrade on Liverpool winger Luis Diaz before confirming that Mainoo would be his first choice.
‘I’m trying to think who else in the United team is better playing in their position,’ Carragher added.
‘Maybe Rashford because for Liverpool in the summer, obviously under a new manager, that may be a position you look at.
‘Wide left because I think [Luis] Diaz is good, I don’t think he’s great. So that could be a position. But I think with Mainoo in central midfield. Yeah, I would go with him just for the age factor.’
Mainoo’s performances for England attracted praise from his club manager Erik ten Hag as well as Three Lions boss Southgate.
‘I thought it was very good, but we are not surprised,’ Ten Hag said. ‘We have seen what he is capable of, that he can very quickly adapt to high levels.
‘It looks very natural. We are very happy for him and of course a little bit proud. It’s great for the academy of Manchester United that they bring up a player so young going into the national team.
‘That is a big compliment for the whole club. I think definitely in the first place for himself because he did it.’
Mainoo started Manchester United’s return fixture against Brentford at the weekend but was unable to make a huge impact as Ten Hag’s side left west London with a 1-1 draw. The Red Devils face Chelsea on Thursday night.
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