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Former Manchester United defender Phil Jones has sent the club a crucial warning over Kobbie Mainoo, even as the young midfielder’s meteoric rise continues.
During a troubled and extremely disappointing 2023/24 season, Mainoo was one of the few positives for the team.
His appearance in the team was a beacon of hope for both the team and the supporters as he impressed with his remarkably calm and composed displays in the middle of the park.
Mainoo soon broke into Erik ten Haag’s plans and cemented his status as one of the undisputed starters.
The teenager made 32 appearances in all competitions and scored five goals and one assist during that time. He found the back of the net in the FA Cup final against Manchester City and helped United win the trophy.
Mainoo has been named in England’s final 26-man squad ahead of Euro 2024 and according to Gareth Southgate himself, there will be no hesitation in starting the Carrington Academy graduate at the tournament.
Amidst all this, Jones has warned United that they need to manage Maino properly to ensure he fully realizes his great potential.
Jones spoke to Ladbrokes (via The Express) and said: “I just hope he managed it well. Managing a player like him, at his age, is very important.”
“I know I played a lot when I was younger, and whether that had an impact later on in my career I don’t know, but I hope he’s managed well in terms of training load and playing time. ”
“There will be times when you just have to take him out of the team, not because of his performances, but because you have to look after him and wrap him in cotton wool.”
Jones explained that Real Madrid are the only other team in world football who are under the same scrutiny as United and this is something that needs to be taken into account in order to protect Mainoo.
“Wearing that United shirt comes with a huge amount of pressure. Along the way, there is tremendous reward, but there is tremendous pressure.”
“There’s not many teams I can think of that face that kind of pressure. Maybe Real Madrid are in the same position? But I always say that by playing for Manchester United you are playing for the biggest club in the world. Everything is magnified; everyone wants to tell the story of the club, and you as a player have to accept that.”
Jones certainly knows a thing or two about playing for United as a young prospect with a lot of expectations on his shoulders.
He arrived at United as a teenager after Sir Alex Ferguson spent £17 million to secure his services from Blackburn Rovers.
Jones enjoyed a decent career at Old Trafford but spent his final years mostly on the sidelines recovering from injuries.
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