Rio Ferdinand has pointed out a key difference between Kobbie Mainoo and Wayne Rooney.

Rio Ferdinand has insisted that Kobbie Mainoo needs to be protected (Image: GETTY)

Rio Ferdinand has urged Manchester United’s senior players to offer more protection to Kobbie Mainoo to ensure the young midfielder is not left ‘exposed’. Mainoo has enjoyed a rapid rise to prominence over the last few months and could be rewarded with a place in the England squad at this summer’s Euros.

The 18-year-old has quickly established himself as a key man for United and will be hoping to follow the likes of Wayne Rooney by achieving legendary status at Old Trafford. Ferdinand, however, believes Mainoo will need more protection than Rooney did in order to reach his full potential.

“You look at Kobbie Mainoo, who everyone is raving about and rightly so,” said Ferdinand on the Stick To Football podcast by Sky Bet. “He’s been magnificent since he’s come into the team, but I don’t see anyone trying to protect him. He’s a kid. Imagine if a young kid came into one of our teams, you try and protect that kid.

“There’s only the odd one, like Wayne Rooney, you don’t have to protect, but in the main you want to make sure there’s bodies around. Don’t leave him exposed. How many games do you see him being left exposed? Imagine that feeling, being exposed in that midfield. It’s a lonely place in there if there’s big spaces.

The 18-year-old has established himself as a key man in United’s midfield (Image: GETTY)

“There’s got to be older players and coaches in that team that make sure they tighten it up for that player, especially for the game at the weekend [against Liverpool].”

Mainoo has played 21 games across all competitions for United this season and recently made his first start for England in their friendly against Belgium. Last weekend, he fought off an illness to play 80 minutes as the Red Devils laboured to a draw at Brentford.

Mainoo will be hoping to earn a place in the England squad for this summer’s Euros (Image: GETTY)
It seems Mainoo will continue to play an important role for United as they chase an unlikely top-four finish at the end of the campaign. Erik ten Hag recently insisted that he was confident Mainoo will live up to the hype surrounding him, with the Dutchman vowing to help the midfielder stay on the right path.

“We have discussed this before and so far he handles it very well,” said the United boss last week. “If he crosses the line, yeah, of course I as a manager, we as coaches, will interfere, but so far it’s not necessary because he enjoys football, he wants to win, he wants to give his best every day because he wants to improve.

“As I say, he just wants to have fun on the pitch. For him, it’s fun to play dominant, to dictate the game and to win the game.”