Gary Neville compares Kobbie Mainoo to ex-Man United teammate, it’s not Paul Scholes

Kobbie Mainoo has burst onto the scene as one of the most exciting young players in the league, and Gary Neville sees similarities between him and a former Manchester United teammate.

Off the back of just three appearances ahead of this season, Mainoo has made himself an indispensable part of Erik ten Hag‘s Manchester United.

His performances have been so dominating that many are calling for the 18-year-old to start for England in the upcoming EURO 2024 Championship, despite only making his debut during the recent international break.

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And former Manchester United player and Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville has nothing but praise for the youngster and his spectacular defensive play.

Speaking on The Overlap, he said: “Is he a holding midfield player? The answer is yes and no, in the sense that when actually goes back to defend in his own box, his positions are fantastic.

“His awareness of danger and runs into the box and blocking pull backs and things like that, it’s incredible for a young player.”

The former full-back compared Mainoo to fellow Englishman Owen Hargreaves, saying that the young talent’s speed and determination reminded him of his former teammate.

“There was a moment in the second half where Doku went past him and he got back at Doku and took the ball off him and went and slid in.

“You can’t do that unless you’re… I used to think Owen Hargreaves could do that for Manchester United. Owen Hargreaves was a great tackler in midfield, he would go and take the ball off people.

“He’s got that about him, where he goes and takes the ball off people. If me and you (Jamie Carragher) were playing against Doku, once he’s gone, we’re not getting back at him. Also, we’d drop off him to make sure he’d pass it.

“He will go and think ‘I’m going to take the ball off Doku’ and there are very few players like that.”