Sky Sports pundit Micah Richards singled out England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo after Manchester United’s 4-4 comeback draw against Aston Villa at Old Trafford.

Kobbie Mainoo started in the midfield pivot alongside Youri Tielemans and the Manchester United youth academy product saw out the full 90 minutes.

Micah Richards says that Kobbie Mainoo is one of the Man Utd stars who shows the quality is there in the squad

Kobbie Mainoo’s first-half performance for Manchester United saw him also complete more tackles (three) than his Red Devils teammates. The Three Lions international has completed back-to-back 90-minute matches now after his return from injury in United’s 2-0 Premier League away defeat to Chelsea last month.

Mainoo impressed for United against Roma in the Champions League last week after the Red Devils staged a dramatic 3-2 comeback win at Old Trafford. Speaking after Man Utd’s Premier League encounter with Aston Villa at the weekend, former Manchester City defender Micah Richards turned his attention to Mainoo and Co.

Richards highlighted the criticism that Roy Keane made about United lacking “character” in the dressing room with the current crop of players at Old Trafford. While the 38-year-old former Villa defender could see the point of Roy Keane’s argument, he explained that United did have quality players in their team with the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Mainoo.

“And I think that’s what the United players have not got enough of [people who can handle the huge scrutiny],” Richards told Gary Lineker on The Rest Is Football podcast.

“And that’s why I think they’re finding it hard. It’s not just a plain [assessment], because you can’t tell me, Cunha’s a good player, Fernandes is a good player, and Mbeumo’s a good player.”

The former England international added: “Even [Joshua] Zirkzee, before he [came] to United, he was a good player. Mason Mount, okay, he’s been injured, but at his top level, he is a good player. We know what Mainoo can do.

“Tielemans is a good player. So, you’re telling me these guys are not good players? It’s more than just football, isn’t it?”

Statman Dave on social media platform X highlighted the major influence Mainoo had in the Villa match. Mainoo had a 91 per cent passing accuracy in the 4-4 draw and 83 touches at Old Trafford on Sunday evening.

The Man Utd midfielder also completed an impressive 21 line-breaking passes and 10 passes into the final third, while Mainoo’s defensive qualities included eight duels won and 15 defensive contributions.