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Rio Ferdinand has urged Kobbie Mainoo to seek out the advice of a Chelsea legend in order to get his Manchester United and England career back on track.
Mainoo burst onto the scene two years ago, instantly becoming a key part of United’s team and starting the Euro 2024 final for the Three Lions.
The 20-year-old seemed destined for a long and successful career for club and country, but his development has stagnated of late, with the midfielder not in Ruben Amorim’s preferred starting XI.
After not playing in the opening two games of this season, Mainoo asked to leave Old Trafford on loan, with several Premier League clubs interested, but his request was denied.
He has remained in Manchester for now, but transfer speculation surrounding the player has continued, with Cole Palmer seemingly telling Chelsea to sign up his England teammate.
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Ferdinand is convinced Mainoo is the future of United however, but believes the youngster could greatly improve his game if mentored by a certain former Blues midfielder.
‘This is a big season for Kobbie,’ the former Red Devils defender said during an interview with United We Stand.
‘I love Kobbie, he’s got all the attributes, all the talent. I think he can [play in Amorim’s system] because he’s that good with the ball.
‘As long as he’s being coached and guided right and certain things are being demanded of him. There are certain things when you’re a player, you’ve got to look elsewhere, where can I find something from someone?
He’d do well to talk to someone like Frank Lampard and that’s what I would do if I was working at the club. I’d be leaning on people that I know who I think could help certain people.
‘Frank Lampard as a kid was never known to be quick or sharp. He used to come in with a pair of spikes most days and do extra sharp work around the training ground. He was never an explosive player, but no one ever said that he wasn’t sharp in his career, but he made that.
‘That’s the only area I look at with Kobbie where I go there’s room for improvement. Well, there’s room for improvement everywhere, but there’s a big room for improvement in that area, that mobility.
‘If he can nail that down, I think the world is his oyster and he can be someone we build around.’
Why is Ruben Amorim not playing Kobbie Mainoo?
‘He is fighting for the position now with Bruno [Fernandes],’ Ruben Amorim said when asked why Mainoo was struggling for minutes following last month’s draw at Fulham.
‘And I change to two midfielders, I left Mason Mount there because we want to score a goal and when I change I felt the team needs to have one holding midfielder near Bruno.
‘So he just needs to fight for the position with Bruno like it should be at Manchester United.’
Lampard, currently Coventry City manager, is arguably Chelsea’s greatest player and one of the best midfielders of his generation.
There are perhaps few better people for Mainoo to speak too, though United fans will maybe argue there is a risk that Lampard will use such an opportunity to tap up the Chelsea target.
Amorim says Mainoo is competing with captain Bruno Fernandes for a place in United’s two-man midfield, which is limiting his opportunities, though injuries to Mason Mount and Matheus Cunha may change that.
His next chance to impress the head coach will be on Sunday when United take on City in the Manchester derby, with Chelsea visiting Old Trafford six days later.
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