Manchester United fans have plenty to worry about but Kobbie Mainoo being criticised for a lack of energy must be one of their biggest concerns.
In another season of massive under-performance for the spluttering Reds, the emergence of the usually dynamic midfielder has been a rare ray of sunshine. The teenager, who only turned 19 less than a fortnight ago, has enjoyed a breakthrough campaign with some scintillating displays.
Allying his defensive prowess with moments of sheer attacking brilliance which bely his tender years, Mainoo has dragged sporadic United through a host of games. It was no surprise, even when aged just 18, that Gareth Southgate handed him his England debut off the bench against Brazil last month.
And the way Mainoo confidently bossed the midfield against Belgium when starting just a few days later suggested he could even nail down a starting spot for the Euros this summer. But he came in for some stick from Sky Sports pundit Tim Sherwood for his lacklustre display in Saturday’s dismal 1-1 draw against lowly Burnley.
Sherwood claimed Mainoo had caught the ‘Casemiro bug’, referencing the much-criticised Reds midfielder who’s been ridiculed for his lack of speed and simply jogging around the park. Marcus Rashford has been accused of similarly lacklustre and listless displays aplenty this term while even captain Bruno Fernandes has his knockers for at times neglecting his defensive duties.
But United must ensure the likes of Mainoo don’t head down the same path and fall into the same trap. Boss Erik ten Hag is under huge pressure as it is to hang onto his job and if the teenage talent started slipping, too, his hand would be weakened further. More importantly, though, if Mainoo's spark is extinguished so quickly, what sort of message does it send out to the rest of the kids looking to make their mark?
If Mainoo gets bogged down in United’s obvious malaise, showing disinterest and that basic requisite of willingness to run, there’s little hope for Ten Hag to turn things around. But the under-fire manager only has himself to blame. The lack of drive and urgency at times in United's midfield is frightening.
If it becomes the norm, it could take some time to rediscover. Mainoo is crucial in setting the tempo. Admittedly, at just 19, that shouldn’t be the case. But it’s a sign of the state United are in that they have already come to rely on his energy and excellence.
Hopefully, that ineffective performance against Burnley was just a momentary blip. Everyone has off days, especially when still finding their feet at first-team level and, given his consistent high-level of performance so far, no one will begrudge him that. But there will be plenty of eyes on Mainoo’s body language and approach now for the remaining few games of the season to see if he really has caught the ‘Casemiro bug’.
All United fans - and England, for that matter - will hope it was just a 24-hour thing. If it isn’t, and this becomes a common theme for United’s best young talents, Ten Hag’s task of keeping his job will become almost impossible. He simply can't let their brightest gem lose his sparkle.
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