Luke Shaw explains why Manchester United youngster Kobbie Mainoo ‘scared’ him.

Luke Shaw believes Manchester United youngster Kobbie Mainoo is on the rise and the rate of progress has been “scary”.

Mainoo has always been regarded as the leader of his age group in United’s academy, but he effortlessly broke into the first-team squad under Erik ten Hag last season.

The youngster started almost every game for United in 2024 and ended the campaign by scoring the winning goal in the FA Cup final against Manchester City.

In March, the MEN revealed United had opened new contract talks with Mainoo to reflect his growing importance and continued to excel in the summer months with England.

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Mainoo made his Euro quarter-final debut with Switzerland and is expected to retain his starting role in the competition’s semi-finals against the Netherlands.

Speaking at a press conference in England on Monday, Shaw praised Mainoo and said: “The rise is really scary, it’s been really fast for him. When we first saw Kobbie, he was in first team training and was out of the squad. but you could really see the qualities he had.

“He went in pre-season and was unlucky to get injured which maybe set him back a bit but didn’t stop him. I think his qualities showed.

“I don’t see him as a young man anymore and I think he is one of our main players. For me, he has the world at his feet. He can do everything, he just needs to stay balanced and work hard. .

“He can honestly achieve anything. I’m not surprised how easily he went to it (with England) because he did it with United. He came out of nowhere and took it easy.

“It didn’t really surprise me, everyone knows his qualities and it was just about getting him into the team and once that happened it was about showing how important he can be.

“It’s a big pat on the back for him because what he’s done so far has been very good.”

Mainoo made 33 senior appearances last term, scoring five goals in that run of games.