Liverpool icon Graeme Souness faces backlash for criticism of Man Utd midfielder Kobbie Mainoo

Liverpool legend Graeme Souness has criticised Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo's positional awareness.

The Scotsman, well-known for his time at Anfield , doesn't hide where his loyalties fall. Previously, his cutting analysis of Paul Pogba drew criticisms of bias from some corners, with claims of a lack of objectivity in his punditry.

The 71-year-old is in the spotlight for often missing the mark with his takes, most famously for questioning Lisandro Martinez's ball skills - an area where the player actually shines. Now, he's sparked a fresh controversy on social media for his take on Mainoo's positional awareness for the Three Lions at Euro 2024.

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Speaking on William Hill's Three Up Front podcast , Souness said: "I think he's really good on the ball, he's very talented on the ball but he doesn't fully understand the position. He wanders, he empties the middle of the field too readily.

"I watched him against Iceland [when England were defeated in their last Euro 2024 warm-up game at Wembley] and he was getting thrown to the left and thrown to the right.

"He came on as a substitute when holding onto a 1-0 lead [against Serbia] and the first thing he did was chase down the goalkeeper and try to put him under pressure. It's naivety, he's still learning the game."

While it's fair to say Mainoo is still learning the game at 19, Souness' comments felt unfair on the youngster, who enjoyed an exceptional breakthrough season with Manchester United which earned him a call-up to the England squad for Euro 2024.

The teenager brought some much-needed balance to the England midfield and retained his place in the team, with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Conor Gallagher unable to do the same.

Even England manager Gareth Southgate was impressed by Mainoo, saying after the Three Lions' semi-final win against the Netherlands: "I think all of his performances have been exceptional, especially when you consider his age. We haven't really had a player like him until now."

"It makes such a difference when your midfield players can receive [the ball] pressed and turn with the ball so easily and comfortably. It looks simple when he does it, but it isn't simple."

"But I thought him and Phil popping up in spaces, Jude [Bellingham]... our movement was really good. That caused a lot of problems and forced them to adapt how they were without the ball."