MAINOO’S A BELL RINGER
‘Incredible’ teen Kobbie reminds Maguire of Jude when he was same age
HARRY MAGUIRE believes England have another Jude Bellingham on their hands.
Three Lions defender Maguire has enjoyed playing big brother to 18-year-old Kobbie Mainoo at club level for Manchester United – and has no doubts he is ready to feature for his country.
There are plenty of pictures with Maguire standing alongside Mainoo after taking the teenager under his wing.
He now believes the young midfielder is ready to gatecrash the Euro 2024 squad.
Mainoo has been a revelation since making his first Premier League start in November.
And he can harbour realistic dreams of getting on the plane to Germany this summer, alongside Real Madrid superstar Bellingham.
Maguire insists Mainoo will have no fear going into the tournament, saying: “I don’t see why. To play at a major tournament, it’s big to have experience but also the young boys come in and sometimes they play with no fear – they can excel in that way.
“I don’t have any concerns whatsoever.
“It’s incredible he’s only 18, he’s so mature.
“He’s a bit like Jude was when he was a young boy.
“He’s got a mature head on his shoulders.
“I see day-in, dayout his ability in training.
“He just wants to work hard and do well. I congratulated him, said that he deserved it, keep it up, and make sure he enjoys himself.
“He has got everything, he can handle the ball brilliantly.
“He’s really strong, powerful, and you can see the progression to play that role, especially for Manchester United. We have a lot of good centre-midfielders in this country at the moment.
“A lot of players who have been there and done it, and shown they can do it in the big, major tournaments. “He’ll keep working hard, I’m sure he will, because he’s a great lad.”
It would not be the first time that a prodigious talent has broken through ahead of a tournament.
Marcus Rashford did the same when he was a teenage striker at Old Trafford in the lead up to Euro 2016.
Rashford is now one of the senior figures in the England squad who, along with Maguire, are trying to help guide Mainoo.
The older hands regard it as a key
part of their own responsibilities at United.
The 31-year-old Maguire said: “I told him if he needs anything, just to ask me, give me a text, about anything.
“He thoroughly deserves it – he has been excellent for us this season.
“A role and responsibility for the senior players at Manchester United is to bring through academy players.
“The club is always built on giving opportunities to young boys.
“We have numerous of them training with us a lot, we try and make them feel welcome.”
However Maguire acknowledged that United, as a team, should be in better shape than they currently are.
But he admitted the “crazy” FA Cup tie with Liverpool last weekend – and the dramatic quarter-final victory in extratime – might be a catalyst to get their season going again, especially with the chance to win silverware.
Maguire added: “It’s been a difficult season for us.The points tally in the league is not too bad but it should be a lot better. “We have had a lot of injuries and so have other clubs.
“To get knocked out of the Carabao Cup was disappointing and the Champions League campaign was also disappointing.
“So, to have a good run in the FA Cup is important.
“It’s a huge result for us, to keep faith we have still got a chance to win something this season.” Centre-back Maguire also said that playing for England means “absolutely everything”. He paid tribute to Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate, left, for sticking by him even when he has been out of the United team.
Maguire said: “The faith and trust he has shown me has been brilliant.
“I think I’ve been in every squad I’ve been available for, I’ve played every competitive game that I’ve been available for.
“It gives me great confidence and belief I can turn things around.”
He’s been excellent for us at United this season
He’s only 18 but has a mature head on his young shoulders