JAKARTA - Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo praised his club teammates Rasmus Hojlund and Christian Eriksen, ahead of the Euro 2024 Group C match between England and Denmark on Thursday, June 20.
The 19-year-old is enjoying his breakthrough at Man United last season and his appearance as a first-team star is one of the few positive things that Red Devils supporters can take from the disappointing 2023-24 season.
Mainoo made sure Man United ended the season well, when his goal against Manchester City rivals helped Erik ten Hag's side win 2-1 in the FA Cup final last month.
The Stockport-born midfielder impressed in his 35 senior appearances for Man United last season and earned a call from England coach Gareth Southgate for Euro 2024, making his competitive debut as a substitute in Serbia's 1-0 win over Group C last Sunday.
Mainoo again has the chance to appear when England face Denmark, and the teenager is looking forward to competing against two of his colleagues at Man United, Hojlund and Eriksen, who scored in Denmark's 1-1 draw with Slovenia.
Playing "Good Friends" With Hojlund And Eriksen's "Learning"
Speaking at a news conference on Tuesday, as quoted by BBC Sport, Mainoo stated that he was good friends with 21-year-old Hojlund and views Eriksen, 32, as a senior figure in the midfield of Man United and Denmark. However, he is ready to rule out the friendship this Thursday.
"I haven't spoken to him recently, but I'll do it after the game. I'm focused here and maybe after the game I'll talk to him," Mainoo said of Hojlund.
"Maybe, I don't know, I've never played against him before. He's a good friend, good to have good relationships on and off the pitch," he added.
"They [Hojlund and Eriksen are] great teammates for me, Rasmus is as young as I am so I am always around him. I try to learn and take lessons from Christian. If I play on Thursday, I have to put that aside and compete against him and hopefully get a win," said Mainoo.
Mainoo hopes to be included in the British starting lineup with Declan Rice, which according to him is "appropriate to every cent".
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Rice has stepped up their game in recent seasons and is considered one of the best midfielders in the Premier League after a 105 million transfer from West Ham United to Arsenal last summer.
"Dec is a very good, reliable and dominating player in midfield," said Mainoo. "When I play with him, it's always fun to have someone strong with the ball next to you."
"Everyone knows he's worth every cent, he's a very good player. He has proven it in the Premier League and internationally. [Playing with Rice], it gave me a lot of freedom and allowed me to go forward and attack believing that he was there. It was a dream," he said.
Mainoo faces stiff competition for a place beside Rice, with Trent Alexander-Arnold - who started in midfield against Serbia - Conor Gallagher, and Adam Wharton all competing to play in the Southgate team.
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