Casemiro opens up on mentoring Mainoo at Man Utd amid social media challenges

Manchester United midfielder Casemiro has opened up about his mentoring relationship with rising star Kobbie Mainoo.

Casemiro has confessed that guiding teammate Kobbie Mainoo has become increasingly challenging in the age of social media. The Manchester United midfield pairing have been instrumental in the club's resurgence under interim head coach Michael Carrick.

United have secured Champions League qualification and are poised to finish third under their temporary manager. The Reds have suffered just two defeats since Carrick replaced Ruben Amorim in January, with both Casemiro and Mainoo regular fixtures under the former Middlesbrough boss.

And it seems that Real Madrid legend Casemiro has been drawing on his vast experience to mentor Mainoo, 21, in an effort to maintain high standards. The 34-year-old will depart Old Trafford this summer following four campaigns at M16.

The Brazilian has now discussed with former Reds centre-back Rio Ferdinand on his podcast how he approaches mentoring the England international.

When Ferdinand suggested to him that you can't be as firm with young players [these days], he said: "I try, I try, but the phone, the social media is very difficult because everyone sees on the phone, nah, you play good.

"You think, 'ah, you play good. Yeah, it's top, it's top.'

Casemiro was then asked about Mainoo's previous struggle for game time under ex-Reds boss Amorim. The young star did not start a single Premier League match this season before Amorim's exit.

He added: "And I try every day about this with Kobbie. He's an unbelievable player. But he needs to train, train, train. He needs fear - I play, I don't play.

"I need to push the training because this guy is the present and the future of the club."

Casemiro was then questioned about Mainoo's earlier lack of playing time under former Reds manager Amorim. The youngster failed to start a single Premier League fixture this season prior to Amorim's departure.

He added: "Yes. I talk to him about this, and because I love Kobbie. In this moment, he doesn't play too much. Maybe it's the first time he doesn't play, but it's not the last.

"You don't need to drop your head. You need change. How? I don't know. Work. Work. Work.

"Talk with the manager about what you need. I go with Amorim. I do what I need to, to play. I can't play in this team because I need this, this, this. Okay. I try, but it's not the last time.

"He's very easy. He's slow. He's a calm guy. Very calm. But for me this guy is the present in the football club. This guy is an unbelievable player."