Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has lavished praise on teenage sensation Kobbie Mainoo, comparing his playing style to that of Zinedine Zidane. Speaking at a charity event in Stretford, Scholes described Mainoo as “the nearest thing I’ve seen to Zidane in taking a ball, receiving the ball, cruising past people.”
Scholes, who won 11 Premier League titles with United, highlighted Mainoo’s composure and calmness on the ball as exceptional traits for a player of his age. “That calmness didn’t come for me as quick as it did for Kobbie. I’d say it came five or six years into my career. That’s why it amazes me. He’s so relaxed, the game’s so easy to him. It’s almost like poetry in motion,” Scholes said.
The 19-year-old made headlines last season by becoming the first English teenager in 43 years to score in an FA Cup final, netting the winner against Manchester City. Scholes previously wrote on Instagram that Mainoo was “10 times the player I was at 19.” However, he believes there is room for improvement, noting that Mainoo can become a more consistent match-winner for both club and country.
Scholes also reflected on his upcoming return to Old Trafford for a legends match against Celtic on 7 September, where he will play alongside Nicky Butt under Bryan Robson’s management. He suggested that Mainoo could learn from the leadership of Robson and the aggression of Butt, though he acknowledged the youngster already possesses remarkable composure.
