Former Manchester United man Wes Brown has compared Kobbie Mainoo to Clarence Seedorf, and feels it would be “so good to see him in an England shirt.”
Mainoo has made the defensive-midfield position at Old Trafford his own this season. The 18-year-old came into the side for a Premier League fixture against Everton in November, and other than two games, he’s featured in every match since then.
He got his first goal against Wolves in February, but it’s his composure at such a young age and his defensive capabilities that have impressed the most.
According to fbref, Mainoo ranks in the 91st percentile compared to his positional peers in the top-five European leagues for clearances, and also ranks highly for aerials won and successful take-ons.
But for his desire to be on the ball and to shield it from opposition players, the United youngster has drawn comparisons to five-time Champions League winner Seedorf.
“There is [a comparison], and it’s Clarence Seedorf for me!” former United man Brown told Instant Casino.
“If you ever get a chance to watch Clarence Seedorf – how he receives the ball, how he wants the ball and how he protects it – to me it’s very similar to the way Kobbie Mainoo plays.
“Believe me, centre midfield is a very hard position to play, but the calmness and the way he looks after the ball is brilliant for someone of his age. You can tell he’s enjoying himself too!
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“When you think of the injuries Manchester United have had, he’s had to come in and play because the manager had no other option, but I’m so happy he did because you can tell what a good, young player he is.
“He will learn and get better, but his attitude is the main thing for me and the reason he’s played so many games.”
Mainoo has been tipped for a place in the next England squad and potentially the upcoming Euros, and though he has the chance to represent Ghana as well, Brown thinks it would be great to see him featuring for the Three Lions.
“It’s going to be tight between England and Ghana. Ultimately it’ll be his preference, but it would be so good to see him in an England shirt,” Brown added.
“The way he’s showcasing his abilities at such a young age for one of the biggest clubs in the world – he’s definitely a talent the FA will want to play for England for many years to come.”


The defensive-midfield position is one that’s not necessarily already filled by an Englishman, as Declan Rice has the ability to play further up the pitch, so as he has at United, Mainoo has the chance to make it his own for England.
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Next Liverpool manager: Xabi Alonso targets €35m forward as first signing as Edwards picks two Plan B options as Klopp heir

New Liverpool CEO of football Michael Edwards is pushing hard to appoint Xabi Alonso as new manager in succession to Jurgen Klopp, but does have two alternatives in mind for the Spaniard and amid claims a first signing of the summer has been identified at Anfield.
The Reds are gearing up for the final throes of the Klopp era at Anfield and hope to bring the curtain down on his reign in triumphant style. Having already netted seven major honours throughout his time at Liverpool, the club are pushing hard to win an unprecedented quadruple in what would be an incredible final season.

Having already bagged the Carabao Cup, Liverpool are very much in the Premier League title mix and are also through to the FA Cup quarter-finals, where a mammoth showdown with Manchester United awaits on Sunday.
In addition, the only trophy to have eluded Klopp so far at Anfield – the Europa League – is entering the business stages too, with Liverpool on Thursday night hoping to book their place in the quarter-finals and having a comfortable 5-1 victory over Sparta Prague from the first leg of their last-16 tie.
However, behind the scenes, FSG have been getting their house in order and preparing themselves for life after their charismatic manager. Step one of that procedure has been successfully wrapped up in securing the return to the club of former sporting director Edwards, who this take takes on the more senior role of CEO of football.
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to do something else and

Next to follow will be arrival of a new sporting director, primarily to succeed Jorg Schmadtke, but in the long run a figure who can continue the excellent work done by Edwards himself.

Next Liverpool manager: Xabi Alonso top choice; two alternatives named

The role of sporting director is widely expected to go to Bournemouth’s Richard Hughes, who has done admirable work on the south coast in establishing the Cherries as a Premier League side.
And between them all, their next and most important task will be the hiring of a new manager, with Alonso very much their number one choice.
Luring the 42-year-old back to Anfield will not be easy, owing to the work he is currently doing with Bayer Leverkusen and with the added fact that Bayern Munich are also keen on his services too.
However, with TEAMtalk learning the offer of a three-year deal has been put on the table for the Spaniard, it was revealed on Wednesday the secret advantage Liverpool have in the race to secure Alonso’s appointment.


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Like any run club, though, Liverpool do have a Plan B and a Plan C option in place should their push for Alonso ultimately end in failure.
And according to journalist Dean Jones, Edwards is pushing hard to land their top target, but is very much keeping other irons in the fire.
“We will have to see what the actual reach is of Edwards’ new role but this will extend further than just making appointments,” Jones told GiveMeSport.
“He has been looking for a role that could test him to the limit and that will mean working for Liverpool on a global level rather than just specifically in and around the club day-to-day, that’s the impression I get.”

First Liverpool signing of Alonso era identified

On the hunt for a new manager, Jones continued: “The big job facing Liverpool is to get a new manager sorted and that becomes the priority now. Yes it is important to have news on Edwards and Hughes but the guy that truly defines a football team and the success is the manager.

“I’m told Edwards is on board with the idea of appointing Alonso and that will be the initial objective. But he’s not the only name that has been talked about and so the likes of [Ruben] Amorim and [Julen] Nagelsmann are still in the picture here I think.”
 
In the meantime, work is also going on behind the scenes over the shape and identity of Liverpool’s squad next season.
The Reds are expected to prioritise a new centre-half amid doubts over Joel Matip’s long-term future and to provide quality cover and competition for Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate.
However, they are also looking at a new attacker too and reports in Germany claim they are hot on the heels of Hoffenheim forward Max Beier.
The 21-year-old has netted 12 times this season, including successive braces in his last two outings, and is one of the hottes properties in the Bundesliga.

According to SportBILD, Liverpool have the best chance of landing the €35m (£29.3) rated attacker this summer; a link which is fortified by the fact that Alonso is also a massive fan of his.
 
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Indeed, it’s been suggested that the Reds could push to make the Germany U21 international their first signing of the Alonso era, having also kept a close watch on the player since last summer and after he was recommended to Klopp by scouts representing Liverpool.
But it is the potential connection of Alonso to Anfield that will perhaps give the Reds an added incentive to sign the player with the Spaniard reportedly very much an admirer of Beier.
‘Get the Beier in‘ – you heard it here first!

Ten Hag and Man Utd come under fire for misusing talismanic star who now ‘wants out’

The national team manager of a fallen Manchester United star has spoken out on Erik ten Hag’s use of the player, while a report has claimed a summer exit could now be on the cards.
It’s been a rollercoaster campaign for Man Utd who’ve experienced far more downs than ups. However, one incredibly bright light that has lifted the gloom this calendar year is the emergence of Kobbie Mainoo.
The 18-year-old has wasted no time establishing himself as a guaranteed starter at the base of midfield alongside the ultra-experienced Casemiro.
Mainoo is in line to receive a colossal pay rise when he signs a lengthy new contract extension. However, the teenager’s rapid rise hasn’t been great news for everyone at Old Trafford.
As a direct result of Mainoo breaking through, Christian Eriksen’s game-time has plummeted.
The classy Dane, 32, was a key performer in his and Ten Hag’s first season at the club last year. However, since the start of 2024 Eriksen has made just two Premier League appearances, only one of which was a start.
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Eriksen has been fit for each and every league match since the turn of the year, though has been an unused substitute on six occasions.
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So top of the bat, which is,

That’s led to reports in his native Denmark bringing news of a potential exit in the summer. At that stage, Eriksen will have just one year remaining on his contract and a sale would make sense if his importance to United continues to diminish.
Danish outlet Ekstrabladet claimed Eriksen is well aware his career is stalling at United and as such, ‘wants out’ in the summer.
Now, the Danish national team manager, Kasper Hjulmand, has spoken out on Eriksen’s situation at Man Utd.
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“I really, really hope that changes” – Denmark boss

Despite his influence waning in Manchester, Eriksen remains the star man for his country as we head towards Euro 2024.
From Hjulmand’s perspective, he’d love Eriksen to play regularly with United to ensure his talisman is in top form and peak condition heading into the tournament.

However, minutes are proving difficult to come by for Eriksen at present and Hjulmand admitted he is concerned.
“It’s not the best situation as it is right now,” Hjulmand told Tipsbladet. “I really, really hope that changes. I’m pretty sure we’ll see a fit Christian. I know he is.
“But of course, if it continues, it can become like it is with everyone else for Christian. There can be a concern about the level one can perform at if they don’t get more playing time than what it is currently.
“I really hope it changes. A player as talented as Christian needs to play, and we certainly hope it changes at United. But it’s not the best situation not to have played more.”
The European Championships will be held in Germany and Eriksen’s Denmark will square off against England at the group stage. Joining Denmark and England in Group C are Slovenia and Serbia.
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Fabrizio Romano confirms West Ham interest in Arsenal star Arteta has already put up for sale

Fabrizio Romano has claimed that West Ham United are ‘ones to watch’ as clubs queue up to sign Arsenal centre-forward Eddie Nketiah.  
As TEAMtalk exclusively revealed on Tuesday, Nketiah has been told by the Gunners that he is free to find a new team as they are planning to bring in a new striker to replace him.
Brentford’s Ivan Toney is among the stars that Arsenal are reportedly considering a summer move for.
Crystal Palace, Fulham and Brentford are all considering a move for Nketiah and West Ham can now be added to that list.
The 24-year-old has been at Arsenal since his youth after being signed as a boy from the Chelsea academy and he is determined to stay and fight for his place at the Emirates.
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However, it seems that he may not get that chance as Mikel Arteta has already made up his mind, per multiple TEAMtalk sources.
West Ham have been linked with Nketiah before and now are at the front of the queue for his signature.

West Ham interested in signing Eddie Nketiah

According to trusted transfer journalist Romano, West Ham are ‘ones to watch’ in the race for Nketiah, but they haven’t started any concrete negotiations with Arsenal at this stage.
David Moyes’ side are keen to bring in a new striker in the coming months.
Two of their current forward options of Michail Antonio and Danny Ings are past their best and have been linked with exits, so their long-term interest in Nketiah could bare fruit this summer.
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Nketiah has found consistent minutes hard to come by recently. He’s started just 10 games in the Premier League this term and has fallen behind the in-form Kai Havertz in the pecking order.
Havertz has scored four goals in his last four league games and has nailed down a spot in Arteta’s starting XI.
Romano claims that Arsenal will still look to sign a new striker this summer regardless of the German international’s upturn in form, however.
With that in mind, a move to West Ham could be exactly what Nketiah needs to reignite his career.
TEAMtalk sources state that Nketiah’s agents are working hard in the background to try and secure the best possible move for him in the summer.
The prospect of staying at Arsenal is a possibility as his contract does not expire until the summer of 2027, but his playing time will continue to be severely limited if he chooses to do so.
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