Video: Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo displays stunning technique as he plays football on Venice Beach
Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo was spotted playing football on Venice Beach in Los Angeles, California. The Red Devils are in the States for their pre-season tour, where their most recent match ended in a 2-1 loss against Arsenal on Saturday (July 27).
Mainoo has been left out of their squad alongside new signing Joshua Zirkzee, with the duo being given an extended holiday. The Englishman, of course, started in his team's 2-1 UEFA Euro 2024 final loss to Spain, while Zirkzee's Netherlands were eliminated in the semi-finals.
Despite not being in Manchester United's pre-season squad, Mainoo seemingly found a way to stay sharp ahead of the start of the new season. He was seen participating in a local street football match on Venice Beach — just 10 or so miles away from SoFi Stadium, where his club played against Arsenal.
A short video posted by Eurofoot on X shows Mainoo's impeccable ball control as he weaves his way through opposition players. He got himself into a shooting position with some nifty footwork but botched the rabona finish.
Watch the video below:
Mainoo, 19, has rapidly risen through the ranks to become a key player for the club and country. He made his first league start in November last year in a 3-0 win against Everton, where he won the Player of the Match award.
Just a shade over six months later, the teenager was told he would represent England in Germany at the 2024 Euros. There, he featured in six of his team's seven matches as they fell at the final hurdle for the second edition running.
Rio Ferdinand wants to see more from Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo
Next season will be a big one for Kobbie Mainoo. With Casemiro struggling for form and Christian Eriksen reportedly up for sale, a lot of hopes will be pinned on the youngster to run things in Erik ten Hag's midfield.
In an interview with BBC earlier this month, Rio Ferdinand praised Mainoo but urged him to continue honing his game. Speaking ahead of England's loss to Spain in the final, the pundit said:
"...This is only the start for him, so how can he enhance his game? That’s what all the very best players did, including [Clarence] Seedorf himself. He told me he taught himself how to have a left foot because he knew it would make a difference, something that meant he could go both ways and become more of a threat.
"So can Kobbie open his game up so he can play more passes over 20 yards, so he can pick up the ball from the full-backs and ping them forward like Paul Scholes used to? Are we going to see him get more shots off next season, or take a few more risks with his passes? I am not saying that these are the things that he has to do, but I want to see him continue to develop."
Thirty two of Mainoo's 35 senior appearances for the Red Devils came last season, where he scored five times and assisted once.