Federico Macheda has cautioned Kobbie Mainoo against replicating the errors he committed after emerging onto the stage at Manchester United.
Macheda achieved sudden acclaim when the then 17-year-old netted on his United debut in 2009 against Aston Villa, a match that had a significant impact on United’s league triumph.
After Mainoo’s outstanding curled goal against Liverpool earlier this month – a nearly identical one to Macheda’s strike – the Italian has encouraged the 18-year-old midfielder to remain level-headed and modest.
He told The Sun: “After that goal maybe I felt I made it. I was unaware about what came next. I thought that more of the same was enough but you should always raise the bar to maintain those standards. And it was easy to grow too big for your boots for a person with my background. I was brought up in a way where it’s impossible to stay grounded and when you’re young you don’t look at the bigger picture. But I should have done more.
“With hindsight, I know that if I had grafted the way I do now, I’d have had more chances. The way Mainoo is playing it looks as if he’s been there for ten years. But what’s paramount is that he keeps going. He’ll get help because when you play every week people take extra care of you and they make you feel important.”
Mainoo has been one of the few bright spots for United this season in what marks his first campaign in the first-team.
He has already secured few England caps, and numerous individuals argue that he ought to be a starter in the Three Lions’ at the summer’s Euro 2024.
Meanwhile, six loans and four clubs later, the now 32-year-old Macheda plays for Turkish Super Lig side MKE Ankaragucu.
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