Jan Aage Fjortoft has insisted that Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo is still a work in progress and must be shielded from unwarranted criticism.
Mainoo broke into the Manchester United team this season and wasted little time in becoming a first-choice in the starting eleven.
The 19-year-old scored the winner in the FA Cup final and has also been named in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the European Championship.
However, his performance in England’s 1-0 defeat to Iceland on Friday night was criticised with many wondering whether he has the game to play in England’s midfield this summer.
Fjortoft insisted that any player can have a bad game and indicated that too much pressure is being put on a teenage midfielder who is still developing his game.
He stressed that Mainoo should be protected as he is going to be a mainstay for England and Manchester United in the next decade and more.
The former Premier League striker took to X and wrote: “Please leave Kobbie Mainoo alone!
“He is a work in progress like every other 19-year-old!
“One game not so good we have to accept for any player!!!
“He will be massive for both England and Manchester United [over] the next 15 years.”
Mainoo is still expected to start for England take on Serbia in their first group game on 16th June.
