Paul Scholes has claimed that Kobbie Mainoo is the nearest he has seen to Zinedine Zidane when it comes to taking the ball, receiving it and cruising past people ahead of the start of the new Premier League season. Mainoo was a breakout star for United last season as he also found his way into the England squad for the Euro 2024 campaign as the Three Lions made it to the final.

Mainoo will be a vital cog for United in the upcoming season and Scholes compared the youngster to the great Zidane. Talking to the Guardian, Scholes praised Mainoo’s skills and said he was surprised to see his performance the first time he saw the player out on the field.

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

“I heard there was a young lad holding his own against Casemiro in training, sometimes better than him. 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.”

Like poetry in motion

Mainoo has often been compared to Scholes but the United legend said that the calmness didn’t come to him quickly like the youngster. Scholes said he has been amazed to see how relaxed Mainoo is on the field and feels the sky is the limit for the midfielder.

“That calmness didn’t come for me as quick as it did for Kobbie,” said Scholes. “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. That calmness will be vital throughout his career. It’s [something] just in you.”

“The sky’s the limit for this lad if he keeps his head down. And he looks like the type who will stay on an even keel.”

Manchester United start their new campaign against Fulham on August 16, Friday.