Man Utd transfer news: Mateo Kovacic move backed as Jose Mourinho plots Real Madrid raid (Image: GETTY)
And Mariner has offered his backing to Jose Mourinho as the Old Trafford gaffer weighs up a raid on the Bernabeu.
"I do like [Kovacic] a lot," Mariner told ESPN FC. "Look, for him to develop, he wants to play.
"I mean he didn’t start in too many games [at the World Cup], well he came on as a sub, for Croatia. But there’s no doubt at 24 years of age he’s a future talent.
"And I think if Mourinho’s gonna be there long-term, he’s gotta look to build. I know he’s got some quality in the middle of the park.
"But will he be in before the start of the season? I think if they’re gonna make a move, now’s the time to go and get him. So I’m gonna say: 'Yeah, go and get him boys.'"
Meanwhile, United legend Paul Scholes has revealed what he believes Kovacic’s prospective team-mate Pogba must do next season.
"Paul needs to find a consistency, I think," said Scholes. "You look at his game – he can be brilliant one week and not so good the next week.
"He seems to be a player you get a performance out of him one in every three or four games. If you’re going to win leagues, it’s not enough.
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Man Utd transfer news: Mateo Kovacic move backed as Jose Mourinho plots Real Madrid raid (Image: GETTY)
"He needs to become that commanding player he was at Juventus. He was part of a set structure at Juventus. He knew every week what position he was going to play, who he was going to play with.
"I don’t think that helps him at United because I’ll be amazed if the same team has been named twice in a row and the same formation, there doesn’t seem to be a set way of where it’s going and that could possibly work against him.
"But there’s no doubt the lad has real quality, he’s shown it at this World Cup. He can play, he’s such a strong lad - such a strong player - such a fit lad, he can run, great technique as well, great ability.
"But he needs to use his brain a little bit more to become a top footballer."