Liverpool legend Graeme Souness has identified a key weakness in one Manchester United star’s style of play during an otherwise impressive Euro 2024 campaign.
Euro 2024 came to an end last Sunday after Spain defeated Euro 2020 runners-up England 2-1 at the Olympiastadion in Berlin.
Spain impressed over the course of their stunning Euro 2024 campaign and Luis de la Fuente’s men won all seven of their matches at the tournament in Germany.
Kobbie Mainoo and Luke Shaw both played in the Euro 2024 final and the Manchester United duo fell short of the Henri Delaunay trophy.
The two aforementioned United stars weren’t the only players from the first team to represent their countries at this summer’s Euros.
Scott McTominay was in action for Scotland, while Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes linked up with former United teammate Cristiano Ronaldo for Portugal.
Souness analyses Man Utd star’s weakness
Kobbie Mainoo had an impressive Euro 2024 campaign, despite initially being overlooked by former England manager Gareth Southgate.
Gareth Southgate tried – and failed – to have Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold play in an experimental role alongside Arsenal star Declan Rice in midfield.
Mainoo’s playing time at Euro 2024 was initially limited, with the Manchester United star managing only a brief cameo appearance in the 1-0 win over Serbia.
The 19-year-old was an unused substitute for the 1-1 draw against Denmark before Mainoo came off the bench and impressed in the 0-0 match against Slovenia.
Southgate eventually abandoned his experiment with Trent Alexander-Arnold and the former Three Lions boss turned to Mainoo for the knockout rounds.
Mainoo became a linchpin midfield figure for England alongside Declan Rice and the United star secured regular playing time through to the Euro 2024 final.
Speaking on Up Front with Simon Jordan, Graeme Souness claimed that one weakness from Mainoo was the position he played for England.
The former Sky Sports pundit claimed that United star Mainoo ‘wandered’ in the position and left the middle of the pitch “too readily.”
“He doesn’t fully understand the position – I think he wanders,” Souness said, as per Sportskeeda.
“He empties the middle of the field too readily. I watched him against Iceland and he was getting thrown to the left and thrown to the right.”
The Liverpool legend added: “He came on as a substitute when holding onto a 1-0 lead [against Serbia] and the first thing he did was chase down the goalkeeper and try to put him under pressure. It’s naivety.”
Souness’ punditry has become notorious for his criticism of Manchester United’s most high profile stars.
Paul Pogba was the subject of repeated digs from the Scot, and it is not nice to see Mainoo getting the same treatment.
Erik ten Hag happy with Mainoo at Euro 2024
Erik ten Hag revealed that he was thrilled with what he saw from Mainoo’s display in England’s 2-1 comeback win against the Netherlands in the semi-finals.
“As much as I hoped Oranje would win, I enjoyed Kobbie Mainoo,” he said, as per The Daily Mirror.
“What a talent. Technically but also mentally. Kobbie is a great kid.
“I really thought he was one of the best players on the pitch against Holland. He was crucial in England’s dominance in the first half hour.”