Former England striker Gary Lineker has heaped praises on Manchester United’s youngster Kobbie Mainoo, comparing him to England team-mate Jude Bellingham.
Kobbie Mainoo put in a good shift to help Man United defeat Manchester City in the FA Cup final on Saturday. The United academy graduate capped off an excellent performance at Wembley by doubling Man Utd’s lead in the 39th minute.
His impressive form has been bailed by football pundits all through the season and Gary Lineker is also impressed with his confidence and maturity.
Kobbie Mainoo of Manchester United after winning the Emirates FA Cup Final match between Manchester City and Manchester United (Photo by Neal Simpson/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
According to Lineker, Mainoo reminds him of Jude Bellingham who is currently playing at the highest level with Real Madrid.
“The sky is the limit, I think. I’m impressed with his remarkable maturity, [and] his confidence,” Lineker said.
“I think he knows how good he is. He reminds me in that sense of Bellingham. I know that’s a big shout, but he’s two years younger. I think he’s remarkably talented, I think he will feature in the Euros – I don’t know where and when.
“Gareth [Southgate] was in the stand and everyone in the ground could see how good he was, how confident he was. You can see he’s got almost an aura about him, the right sort of confidence.”
Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes also took time to heap praise on Kobbie Mainoo who is expected to make England squad for the upcoming EURO 2024 tournament.
‘Read a few comparisons between me and this kid last week… don’t waste your time, he is 10 times the player I was at 19,’ Scholes wrote about Mainoo on social media.
‘Just love the way he receives the ball, the calmness, the awareness of what’s around him and of course big goals in big games.
‘The boy is special… and he’s a Red.’
