Casemiro has admitted that guiding Kobbie Mainoo at Manchester United has become increasingly challenging in the age of social media. The 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, having suffered just two defeats since Carrick replaced Ruben Amorim in January. Casemiro, 34, will depart Old Trafford this summer after four campaigns, and has been drawing on his vast experience to mentor the 21-year-old England international.
Speaking to Rio Ferdinand on his podcast, Casemiro said: "I try, I try, but the phone, the social media is very difficult because everyone sees on the phone, nah, you play good." 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."
The Brazilian also discussed Mainoo's earlier lack of playing time under Amorim, when the youngster failed to start a single Premier League match prior to the former boss's exit. Casemiro said: "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."
He continued: "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."
