Kobbie Mainoo must replicate Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden, says Rio Ferdinand

says must maintain his good performances for , but also try and evolve his game, as the likes of and Phil Foden have done.

The Manchester United midfielder has become a fixture in Erik ten Hag’s first team since coming into the starting XI at the end of November.

The 18-year-old has been a remarkably calm presence in central midfield and helped an upturn in form for the Red Devils as they push for a Champions League place.

There is already talk of a place in England’s squad at this summer’s European Championship for Mainoo, but Ferdinand says he does still have more to prove.

He wants to see the teenager keep up this impressive level of performance for longer, but also show that he can adapt his game when opponents get used to what he does.

Ferdinand reckons that is what Saka has done at Arsenal and Foden has done for Manchester City, with both good role models for Mainoo.

‘Just be consistent. If you’re just consistent at the level he’s at the moment, that is a very good level right now,’ Ferdinand told on what Mainoo must do now.

‘What you normally get with young players is they come in and they start flying then all of a sudden people get to know them and what else have you got to your game that is another surprise element? In your first season, you’re a surprise package.

‘That’s why Saka, you’ve got to love him. That’s why Foden. These guys ain’t just flash in the pan that come in and have a good moment.

‘These guys are showing it consistently, this is our level and we’re going like that [up].

‘Kobbie Mainoo has to look at those types of guys and go, I don’t want to be one that just comes in. When I get worked out what else have I got to bring?

‘That’s why you keep working on the training pitch, that’s why you keep watching other players and thinkg, what has he got in his game that I can bring into mine that weren’t there 18 months ago or six months ago.’

Ferdinand also says it is what true greats of the game have done, which all youngsters can look up to.

‘That’s how you keep levelling up,’ he said. ‘That’s what the likes of Kevin De Bruyne has done, what Cristiano Ronaldo does, adding new bits to their game all the time.’

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