Manchester United player-coach Tom Huddlestone has insisted that teenage sensation Kobbie Mainoo reminds him of a “younger version” of one legendary former Manchester City star.
Tom Huddlestone signed for Manchester United in 2022 after he left Hull City and took on the role of a playing coach for the Premier League club’s under-21s.
The 37-year-old, who succeeded Paul McShane in his current role, has worked closely with United’s youth players and even featured in matches this season.
Kobbie Mainoo came through the United youth academy and has had a sensational impact at Old Trafford this season under Red Devils manager Erik ten Hag.
The 18-year-old Stockport-born midfielder has firmly established himself in the United first team and has earned high praise from fans over his performances.
Mainoo’s remarkable season at Old Trafford has caught the eye of the footballing world, with the likes of United legend Rio Ferdinand paying tribute to his talent.
Huddlestone on Man Utd star Mainoo
Kobbie Mainoo has made 12 Premier League appearances for Manchester United this season, with the academy product starting in all 12 fixtures for Erik ten Hag’s men.
The United teenager found the back of the net for the first time in his senior career during the Red Devils’ 4-2 win over Newport County in the FA Cup in January.
Mainoo also scored for the first time in the Premier League at the beginning of February, with the United star scoring an injury-time winner against Wolves.
Speaking to the SPORTbible, Tom Huddlestone revealed that Mainoo had already made a name for himself at Old Trafford ahead of his first-team breakthrough.
The former Tottenham star claimed that Mainoo was one of two players who “stood out” during his first day at Carrington after taking on his role as a player-coach.
Huddlestone admitted that the England Under-19s international even reminded him of a “younger version” of former Manchester City star Yaya Toure.
“On my first day at Carrington, I came up and had a look at the lads in training,” he said.
“I was speaking to a friend on the way back home and said, ‘There are two lads who stood out during that session and one of them is a player called Kobbie Mainoo. He looks like a younger version of Yaya Toure.’”
Huddlestone talks Mainoo’s ability
Huddlestone revealed that Mainoo made significant progress during his time in the academy and had “smashed all of his targets” before the end of last season.
Mainoo was called up for United’s pre-season tour last summer and missed the start of the current campaign due to an ankle injury he suffered against Real Madrid.
However, the United star bounced back from his injury setback and showed this season why Ten Hag had called him up for his Red Devils squad last summer.
“Two or three months into last season and Kobbie had already smashed all of his targets and then by the end of it, he was training regularly with the first team,” Huddlestone said.
“To do what he’s doing as an 18-year-old, at a club of this size, is some going. It looks like he’s been doing it for years.
“He’s as composed as anyone I’ve ever seen and that comes from self-confidence in your touch, your manipulation of the ball and your passing ability.”
READ MORE: Join the conversation with the United in Focus Whatsapp group
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
