Mainoo progression is ‘scary’ and he can ‘achieve anything’ in football says team-mate Shaw | OneFootball

Luke Shaw believes Kobbie Mainoo can “achieve anything” in his career and says he is now one of Manchester United and England’s most important players.

Mainoo has started the last two games for England alongside Declan Rice in midfield, helping Gareth Southgate’s side to reach the semi-finals of Euro 2024.

Shaw returned to action in the quarter-final win over Switzerland having not played since February because of injury and says he is confident that he could play 90 minutes, or more, if asked to by his manager.

And the United defender also lauded 19-year-old Mainoo for the progress he has made in such a short space of time.

“His growth is scary really,” he said.

“It’s been really quick for him. When I first saw Kobbie I think he was in and out of the first-team training but you could really see the qualities he had.

“Obviously he came away during pre-season and was unfortunate that he got an injury which set him back a bit but it didn’t stop him. I think his qualities have shown and I don’t see him as a young lad anymore, I think he’s one of our main players.

“For me, I think he’s got the world at his feet. He can do everything. He just needs to stay level headed and keep working hard.

“Like I said, the world is his oyster and he can honestly achieve anything.”

Mainoo broke into the first-team at United under boss Erik ten Hag last season and quickly became a mainstay in the side before receiving his first England call-up in March.

But Shaw says his ascension into the England first team during Euro 2024 has not surprised him.

He added: “It hasn’t surprised me really. I think everyone knows his qualities. It was just about getting him in the team and I think once he got in the team, everyone knows that he’s going to show his qualities and how important he can be for the team.

“It’s a big pat on the back for him really, to say what he’s done is really good and he needs to just keep that level up.”

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