Micah Richards picks Man Utd wonderkid first in Premier League NFL-style draft
MICAH RICHARDS stunned everyone when he picked out Manchester City's rising superstar in an NFL-style draft.
In the midst of Super Bowl fever, Thierry Henry, Kate Abdo and Micah Richards selected their best Premier League player under 20.
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After Richards, 35, was reminded that his original choice, Jude Bellingham, was ineligible because he was not playing in England, the ex-City player took his time before making a stunning choice.
He said: “I'm going with Mainoo, Man United.
“Start a team like that.”
Kobbie Mainoo, 18, made his Prem debut just before Christmas and has now established himself as a key first-team player, with Erik ten Hag praising his “incredible” progress.
He proved crucial in United's match against Wolves, scoring a stunning goal in the 97th minute to secure a 4–3 win.
The academy graduate's talent has even prompted club legend Dimitar Berbatov to compare him to iconic midfielder Paul Scholes.
But it was still a bombshell to hear that Richard's, a former City player, would pick someone from his club's biggest rivals.
He wasn't the only one who put his loyalty aside: United fan Abdo himself selected a City star.
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She said: “Oh yeah, that's a nice shout, Micah from Man City! Micah Hamilton.”
Hamilton turned 20 in November, making him ineligible for the draft, but Abdo's response remained the same.
He made just two prem appearances but had a goal and an assist in his start in the Champions League as City beat Red Star Belgrade 3-2 in Serbia.
Thierry Henry's response was equally unexpected, although unlike the other two he held firmly to his loyalty.
He said: “I would trust my youth team.
'Sorry, that's also an option.
“Why are you angry? Why do you have an academy?”
Henry's experience as a manager was reflected in his wise choice.
Previously boss of Monaco and Montreal Impact, the pundit also had a spell as Roberto Martinez's assistant for Belgium and now coaches France's Under-21s.