'One of the best' - Casemiro names Manchester United teammate who is the 'future' of the club
The Man Utd veteran has piled the praise on one of his closest Old Trafford teammates.
Casemiro will leave Manchester United at the end of the season, but he believes the club is in safe hands with midfield teammate Kobbie Mainoo.
United have made a midfield refresh their priority this summer, with the desire to sign two players in the key position. The aim is to sign a long-term replacement for Casemiro in defensive midfield and add another mobile option to provide them with appropriate cover.
Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson is viewed as the dream addition in midfield, while there is also interest in Sandro Tonali, Adam Wharton and Carlos Baleba. United also like Alex Scott, Joao Gomes and Angelo Stiller, with the priority to sign someone who can be the long-term partner for Mainoo in the heart of the side.
Casemiro hails Mainoo brilliance
At the age of just 20, it is quite easy to take for granted just how much Kobbie Mainoo has achieved in such a short space of time. He has been at the heart of Manchester United's revival under head coach Michael Carrick and has a good chance to be named in the England squad for the World Cup this summer.
Mainoo has already scored the winner in the FA Cup final and also started for England when they lost the European Championship final to Spain two years ago. Talks are underway to reward him with an improved contract at Old Trafford and Casemiro is confident he will go on to become one of the greatest midfielders around.
"Kobbie is the present and the future," the Brazilian told club media. "I think that he is one of the best no.8s and can be for that for the next 12 years.
"He is a player I really like. He always wants the ball. It is true that football can’t change your mentality, but Kobbie demonstrated that he hasn’t changed his focus once. He has to continue focusing like he is now and continue playing the important role he is now. But what a player he is, he is a great player. He has demonstrated this in the Euros final with England, he has demonstrated it in finals, he scored in the FA Cup [in the 2024 final win over Manchester City]."
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