‘Ten times the player’ – Paul Scholes bows before Kobbie Mainoo as Man Utd legend compares himself to starlet

PAUL SCHOLES has claimed that Kobbie Mainoo is “ten times the player” he was at 19.

The Manchester United legend watched on as his old club beat Man City 2-1 to win the FA Cup at Wembley this afternoon.

Despite losing the experienced Casemiro from the subs bench due to an injury and all the pre-match speculation regarding Erik ten Hag’s imminent sacking, United prevailed.

Alejandro Garnacho, 19, pounced on a defensive mix-up between Stefan Ortega and Josko Gvardiol to deservedly break the deadlock on half-hour.

Things got even better before the break as United doubled their lead courtesy of a fine finish from Mainoo after a superb assist from Bruno Fernandes.

Jeremy Doku set-up a nervy finish as he pulled one back in the final stages but – after some ‘s***housery’ from Scott McTominay – the Red Devils held firm to secure the trophy. 

Ten Hag embraced both of his teenage goalscorers like a “proud father” after the final whistle.

And soon Mainoo, who has burst on the scene this season and earned himself a place in Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 provisional England squad, was receiving more praise from one of the greatest to ever pull on a United jersey.

Scholes was one of the members of United’s famed Class of ‘92 alongside the Neville brothers, David Beckham, Nicky Butt and Ryan Giggs.

He scored over 150 goals in more than 700 appearances for the club he spent his whole career at and won it all.

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Scholes lifted 25 trophies, including 11 Premier League titles, three FA Cups and two Champions League titles.

Many regard him as one of, if not the, best midfielder of his generation.

But the 49-year-old former England international is adamant that he was not a patch on United’s Wembley matchwinner at the same age.

He shared an image of Mainoo slotting past Ortega on his Instagram story.

And that came with a message that read: “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,” wrote Scholes.

“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.”

Scholes finished off by saying: “This boy is special… and he’s a f***ing red.”

Meanwhile, United’s all-time record goalscorer also hailed Mainoo’s performance against City.

Wayne Rooney, who has just been named as Plymouth manager, was working for BBC at the final.

He said: “Mainoo, Kobbie Mainoo, for such a young lad, take his goal out of it, the composure he has shown on the ball for such a young lad has been excellent.

“Incredible. It’s so good to see a player from the Academy coming through and dictating the games for Manchester United.

“He’s had some moments when he’s struggled as well since he’s been in the first team, but I think this afternoon he’s been absolutely [brilliant].

“You look at his composure on the ball, little passes, little one-twos, playing people in behind – I think he’s been incredible.”

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk