Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has disagreed with Rio Ferdinand and Wes Brown comparing teenage sensation Kobbie Mainoo to one legendary former player.
Manchester United star Kobbie Mainoo has caught the eye of the footballing world after his incredible breakthrough season at Old Trafford.
The 18-year-old United player has firmly established himself in the first team and has become a key midfield figure for Erik ten Hag this season.
Ten Hag has raved about the skills and maturity of Mainoo, who has impressed fans and pundits on the pitch with his performances for United in the current campaign.
Mainoo has made his presence felt at United, including scoring a dramatic injury time winner against Wolves in a thrilling 4-3 Premier League win last month.
Following his performance at the Molineux, former United defender Rio Ferdinand suggested that Mainoo was giving him “vibes” of AC Milan legend Clarence Seedorf.
Wes Brown, who was teammates with Ferdinand at Old Trafford, echoed the same aforementioned comparison involving United man Mainoo and Clarence Seedorf.
Ten Hag on Mainoo and Seedorf comparison
Erik ten Hag admitted that he is not a fan of people comparing Manchester United star Kobbie Mainoo with former Real Madrid and AC Milan star Clarence Seedorf.
The United manager insisted that a player like Mainoo, who was snubbed for an England call-up from Gareth Southgate, needs to build his “own identity.”
Ten Hag added that the Stockport-born midfielder has “big potential” and he is convinced that Mainoo will have a “big career” in football.
“So I think never ever compare players with another player,” he said, as per Manchester United’s official website.
“Never. Because Kobbie Mainoo, but also other players, they build their own identity.
“Don’t compare with anyone. His skill set, that is so typical. And it’s so Kobbie Mainoo, it’s nothing to do with other players.
“Of course, he can learn from other players, especially from great players [such] as Clarence Seedorf was. But Kobbie Mainoo is Kobbie Mainoo.
“He has big potential and I’m quite sure he will have a big career.”
Ten Hag taking right approach with Mainoo
Ten Hag has shown class with his handling of Mainoo this season and the Dutchman is right to dismiss comparisons with other legendary former players.
Even United legend Wayne Rooney compared Mainoo to one of his legendary former teammates ahead of the Red Devils’ 2-0 win over Everton at Old Trafford last week.
But it is far too easy to throw around comparisons – as is the case – with a young player like Mainoo because of his immediate impact in the United first team.
Mainoo is happy with his regular first-team minutes this season and his development at United is more important than eye-catching comparisons with football legends.