Kobbie Mainoo picks ‘perfect’ Man United midfield partner, admits there might be a problem

Young superstar Kobbie Mainoo has revealed which former Manchester United player would be his best midfield partner.

Off the back of a crucial goal in the 2-2 clash with Liverpool last weekend, where he was voted Man of the Match, Mainoo has spoken about his respect for a former Manchester United midfielder.

While speaking on the Fans Q&A series on MUTV, the 18-year-old was asked which former player would be the “perfect” partner for him in midfield.

Mainoo answered: “I’d say Scholes, although there might not be a lot of defending happening between the two of us… but yeah, Scholes definitely.”

Asked about what specifically he liked about Scholes’ game, he added: “Everything. His passing, his movement, the way he could make a finish, his intelligence, so yeah, great player.”

Paul Scholes, widely considered by United fans to be one of the club’s best players ever, made 718 appearances and scored 155 goals during a 22-year career at Old Trafford.

The former no.18, who won 11 Premier League titles with his boyhood club, reciprocated the praise when doing punditry for TNT Sports.

The 49-year-old described the youngster as the “real deal” who has made a massive impact at Manchester United this season.

But, Mainoo clarified that Scholes isn’t his only role model, with the youngster admiring the qualities of various players.

He added: “I like to pick different things from different people, whether it’s football players, I pick different things from their games to try and add to mine and stuff.

“So I wouldn’t say I follow one person directly, if you know what I mean? I just try to pick up things as much as I can from other people.”

Mainoo has enjoyed a breakout season for the Red Devils, making 17 Premier League appearances and potentially forcing his way into England’s starting XI in the upcoming EURO 2024 tournament.