'He’s not got any sense of danger' - Kobbie Mainoo warned he is missing one aspect of his game as Graeme Souness names surprising England youngster with 'better understanding' than Man Utd star

Days after United boss Ruben Amorim revealed that Mainoo was "struggling a lot defending as a midfielder", Liverpool legend Souness has made a similar observation. He said the Red Devils man does not have "any sense of danger" in a defensive midfield role and Crystal Palace ace and England team-mate Adam Wharton is a better operator there.

He said in his Daily Mail column: "It didn’t surprise me to hear Ruben Amorim say that he felt Kobbie Mainoo was not ‘comfortable’ with the defensive side of his midfield game. I said on these pages last June that of the young crop of England midfield players, Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton had a far better understanding of the defensive duties in that role than Mainoo. Mainoo catches the eye because he’s so good on the ball, drifts around, pops up on the left and the right, but he’s not got any sense of danger yet, and empties the midfield area too readily."

He added: "Mainoo doesn’t yet understand all the disciplines of the position but he’s only 19. He can develop, with the proper guidance and instruction."

Mainoo is one of the latest academy gems United have at their disposal but it is becoming increasingly clear that defending is not his strong suit. The 19-year-old could improve that part of his game but his other abilities should not be overlooked. Wharton, however, could be England's first-choice defensive midfielder for years to come.

Mainoo will hope to impress for United when they host Leicester City in round four of the FA Cup on Friday night.