Top News

Kobbie Mainoo has been told he is the future of Manchester United - and the cornerstone around whom the side can be built, in the opinion of the departing Casemiro. Mainoo has flourished in a remarkable revival at United since Michael Carrick took the job on an interim basis. The England midfielder has become a fixture in the starting line-up and has played a pivotal role in helping United secure Champions League qualification.

Mainoo, who came close to joining Napoli on loan in January, was rewarded with a new and improved contract last week. The youngster, who only turned 21 in April, is also confident of earning a place in Thomas Tuchel's squad for the World Cup. Fellow United midfielder Casemiro, speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube channel, has urged his team-mate that if he continues to work hard, he will enjoy a lengthy and trophy-laden future with the Premier League giants.

Casemiro has admitted he played a significant part in Mainoo's return to his best, having offered him words of encouragement during the difficult period when he was cast aside under former manager Ruben Amorim.

Casemiro said: "I've told him, 'you play good. Yeah, it's top, it's top.' And I try every day like this with Kobe. Kobbie is an unbelievable player. But he needs to train, train, train. He needs fear, like 'I play, I don't play. I need to push the training, push the training.'

"Because this guy is the present - and the future of the club. He's an unbelievable player. He's number eight, he's not number five, or number six, no. "In Europe he's number six. He's number eight, but with the ball he is unbelievable.

EXPRESS SPORT ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page

"He loves th e ball, he likes the ball, he needs the ball. He's comfortable with the ball.He never loses the ball. He's strong, he has quality. But he needs to push every game, every time.

"He needs consistency. But for me, he's the present and the future of the club. This guy is an unbelievable player. I talk to him about this (being out of the team), and because I love Kobbie.

"Maybe it's the first time he didn't play, but it's not the last. You don't need drop your head. Work. Work. Work."