Christian Eriksen has been impressed by Kobbie Mainoo’s rise to prominence at Manchester United this season.
Mainoo, 18, picked up a nasty knee injury during pre-season which proved to be a setback as Erik ten Hag planned to give minutes to the young midfielder at the beginning of the season.
Instead Mainoo had to wait a few months later to establish himself in Ten Hag’s side.
The academy graduate has not looked fazed during his breakthrough season – standing out in Premier League wins over Everton and Aston Villa.
Eriksen, who has spent a considerable amount of time in the treatment room this season, isn’t surprised by how his fellow midfielder has adapted in the first team.
“I’m very impressed,” Eriksen told club media via ManUtd.com. “Luckily I’ve seen him in training and I’ve seen him [from] close by.
“I really like what I see. I mean, he’s an exceptional player.
“He’s still a very young lad, but he’s doing really well, and he’s getting his spot in the team.”
Eriksen knows all about the pressure that comes with being an exciting young midfielder. He was the youngest player at the 2010 World Cup.
Furthermore, the experienced Denmark international has advised Mainoo to keep maintaining his progress as United look to have a strong second half to the campaign.
“Just like what he’s doing: being available for training and showing his qualities in the game, which he has done.
“Then obviously it’s up to the manager to choose and to play him and get his confidence from there.
“But I think at the moment and how he’s behaved in the first team around us has been really good. “I think he’s in a good spot.”
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