Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has heaped praise on 19-year-old midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, likening him to French football icon Zinedine Zidane.
Mainoo burst onto the scene last season, breaking into Erik ten Hag’s first team and scoring in the FA Cup final win over Manchester City. He also played a key role for England in Euro 2024, helping the team reach the final.
Scholes told The Guardian: “He’s the nearest thing I’ve seen to [Zinedine] Zidane in taking a ball, receiving the ball, cruising past people. I heard there was a young lad holding his own against Casemiro in training, sometimes better than him.”
Scholes added: “The first time I saw him I remember that calmness. The way he received the ball with confidence; I just couldn’t believe such a young player could do that.”
With praise from a legend like Scholes, Mainoo’s future looks bright. Can he continue to impress and live up to the Zidane comparison? Only time will tell.
