Phil Jones has say on 'one of a kind' Kobbie Mainoo

Phil Jones has say on 'one of a kind' Kobbie Mainoo but issues stern Man United warning on management of the youngster.

• "We need to be thinking about the need for Kobbie Mainoo in five or six years from now, not just the need for him here and now."
  
• "I'm expecting Kobbie Mainoo to play a key role at the Euros, for sure. Whether that's from the starting line-up, or from the bench, I certainly expect him to play his part."
• "Listen, I don't think I've seen a young man come through Manchester United's academy and make an impact like he has in a very long time. And I don't just think it's what he does on the pitch, but off it as well."
• "He literally has the world at his feet. I don't want to hype him up too much, because it would be unfair of me to do that, but it's hard not to say all of these things when you're talking about Kobbie."
• "I just hope he's managed properly. Managing a player like him, at his age, is so important. I know I played a lot when I was younger, and whether or not that had an impact on the later stages of my career, I don't know..."
• "He's a young player and we've got to recognise and remember that. We need to be thinking about the need for Kobbie Mainoo in five or six years from now, not just the need for him here and now."
  

I'm expecting Kobbie Mainoo to play a key role at the Euros, for sure. Whether that's from the starting line-up, or from the bench, I certainly expect him to play his part. 

Listen, I don't think I've seen a young man come through Manchester United's academy and make an impact like he has in a very long time. And I don't just think it's what he does on the pitch, but off it as well. He's such a humble guy, he's so intelligent, he doesn't get ahead of himself. and then you look at the way that he carries himself on the pitch, and his personality... it's just incredible for such a young kid. It's so good. 

He's so talented; the way he manipulates the ball, the way he shields the ball, the way he turns on a sixpence and just drives forward, the way he pops it around the corner, little one-twos, the way he controls the game... it's just been brilliant to see.

If you look at how he performed in the FA Cup final against Man City, I mean, what a performance from a kid who has just turned 19. To go into a game of that magnitude, against City who, by the way, everyone expected to roll United over 4-0 or 5-0... how he handled that occasion was just incredible. 

He literally has the world at his feet. I don't want to hype him up too much, because it would be unfair of me to do that, but it's hard not to say all of these things when you're talking about Kobbie. I just love to watch him. He's a super-talented player, and I'm so pleased he wears the red shirt for United, because he's going to be so influential for the club next season, that's for sure. 

Wearing that United shirt comes with a huge amount of pressure. There's a huge reward, by the way, but there's a huge amount of pressure. There aren't many teams I can think of who face that level of pressure. Maybe Real Madrid are in the same position? But I always say that in playing for Manchester United, you're playing for the biggest club in the world. Everything is magnified, everyone wants to get a story out of the club, and as a player you've got to embrace that. 

So for Kobbie to come in and play under those conditions - not just play, but stand out - where there have been changes to the backroom staff, where results and performances haven't been there, where there's been so much change behind the scenes... and this kid has just taken to the team like a duck to water.

I just hope he's managed properly. Managing a player like him, at his age, is so important. I know I played a lot when I was younger, and whether or not that had an impact on the later stages of my career, I don't know, but hopefully he's managed well, in terms of his training load and game time. There'll be moments where you're just going to have to take him out of the team, not because of his performances, but because you need to look after him and wrap him in cotton wool.

He's a young player and we've got to recognise and remember that. We need to be thinking about the need for Kobbie Mainoo in five or six years from now, not just the need for him here and now. If you can look after him, and manage him well, then we're talking about an amazing, amazing talent. 

Man United are currently joint-fifth favourites to win the 2024/25 Premier League, joint with Tottenham with odds of 25/1. The Red Devils have been priced behind Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal and Man City, and will be relying on the likes of Mainoo if they want to finish ahead of any of the aforementioned sides.

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