“Mainoo is the nearest thing I’ve seen to Zidane in cruising past people” – Paul Scholes

Kobbie Mainoo in a space of a year has joined the table of men. He now dines with the creme de la creme in British football.

An integral part of Gareth Southgates’s squad in the 2024 European Championship where the Three Lions finished as Runner up after losing 2-1 to Spain.

Former Manchester United’s midfield gem, Paul Scholes, the most decorated English footballer, has waxed lyrical about the
19-year-old Kobbie Mainoo.

“He’s the nearest thing I’ve seen to [Zinedine] Zidane in taking a ball, receiving the ball, cruising past people,” Scholes said.

When it comes to playmaking, Zidane had no competitors in his playing days. His touches, ball control, dribbling past players in tight spaces were second to none.

“I’m not sure you can train it – I think it’s just in you,” Paul Scholes continued. The former Manchester United midfielder thinks Kobbie Maino was born to be a great player.

“I heard there was a young lad holding his own against Casemiro in training, sometimes better than him,” Scholes said. But you have to go out and do it.

“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.”

Kobbie was born in Stockport in England to Ghanaian parents. The teenager is due to play an important role in Manchester United’s upcoming season.