If Casemiro departs Manchester United as anticipated this summer, Kobbie Mainoo is a natural successor to the defensive midfield position. Wes Brown, a former Red Devils defender, thinks the 18-year-old’s breakthrough season has displayed similarities to the famous midfielder Clarence Seedorf.
Mainoo, who has started the last 12 Premier League games and made 19 appearances since returning from a preseason injury in November, has already cemented himself as an essential member of Erik ten Hag’s midfield.
During his initial games of the season, he played as a holding midfielder while Casemiro was sidelined recovering from his personal injury setback.
With special recognition going to Mainoo, who excelled at stealing the ball from the defence and moving it up the field.
Casemiro has risen to more senior roles since his comeback and flourished as Ten Hag’s go-to box-to-box player.
But with Saudi Arabia showing a lot of interest in the 32-year-old, United is likely to cash in this summer and might have a ready-made successor.
Brown, who won two FA Cups, two Champions Leagues, and five Premier League crowns while playing for United under Sir Alex Ferguson, is one of Mainoo’s fans and recently praised a number of the young player’s qualities.
“You know what? He [makes me think of someone]. Brown said to Squawka, “I have been watching him, obviously at the youth team.”
“[He’s] really composed, and I’m aware that he’s quite talked about. But he sounds like Clarence Seedorf to me when he plays. He even shields the ball with his running and ball-taking techniques.
“Clarence was a fantastic player. He was large, strong, did his job flawlessly, and had the composure to play for a major team in big games. I played against him a few times. Clarence Seedorf, if I may.”
In Sunday’s vital FA Cup quarterfinal matchup at Old Trafford, Mainoo and Casemiro are expected to line up alongside once more.
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