Kobbie Mainoo made Roy Keane break his own golden rule at Manchester United

Manchester United must have a special talent on their hands if even Roy Keane is getting carried away.

The iconic former captain is equally hard-nosed with a microphone in hand as he was as a player. He helped drive immense standards during his memorable spell at Old Trafford and there is no wonder the popular Irishman wants to see that replicated by Erik ten Hag and the current crop.

United have failed in that regard for far too long now, but Mainoo is the shining light they have been waiting for. He oozed class from the first touch to his last on an injury-delayed Premier League debut against Everton and the midfielder - only 18 - has continued his remarkable ascent since.

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"Unbelievable, I don't want to get too carried away, but I'm sure we will," said TV pundit Keane on Sky Sports after Mainoo starred on his debut. "He looked like he always had time on the ball and decision-making - when to go long and when to go short. Off the ball as well, what an all-round performance."

With so many players unavailable against Liverpool - 11 to be exact - the teenager was thrown back into the team on Sunday afternoon and coped beyond the sky-high expectations that have been set for him. Keane is not one to dish out praise too easily - it has to be earned - yet Mainoo has done that in the blink of an eye.

"I know the club thinks highly of him," added Keane after the Everton win last month.

"Good luck to the kid. He was outstanding. It's a great start for him. Let's hope he stays injury-free and then gets a run of games for Man United because he looked like a Man United type of player. Nice and