Manchester United and England star Kobbie Mainoo has been urged to model his “blueprint” around one Premier League player ahead of club legend Paul Scholes.
Kobbie Mainoo had a stunning breakout season at Old Trafford under Erik ten Hag and earned widespread praise for his performances in the 2023-24 campaign.
The 19-year-old Manchester United midfielder has become a pivotal midfield figure for Erik ten Hag, who has praised Mainoo’s emergence in the first-team squad.
Mainoo started in all 24 Premier League appearances he made in the 2023-24 season, with the Stockport-born player scoring three times in the league.
The United star’s impressive campaign at Old Trafford also led to his call-up to the England national team under Gareth Southgate in the March international break.
Gareth Southgate, who initially snubbed Mainoo for the senior squad before making a U-turn, has also included the Stockport-born player in his Euro 2024 squad.
Tim Howard on Mainoo and Scholes comparison
Kobbie Mainoo showed his incredible brilliance during the FA Cup final between Manchester United and Manchester City at Wembley on Saturday.
The England international put on a commanding display from midfield, with Mainoo scoring against Manchester City in the first half of the contest.
United avenged their 2023 FA Cup final defeat on the weekend with a stunning 2-1 win over the Premier League champions.
Mainoo earned high praise for his show-stealing performance against Pep Guardiola’s men, including from United legend Paul Scholes.
Scholes raved about what he saw from the Three Lions star in the FA Cup final, having spoken highly of Mainoo in his breakout season.
Tim Howard, who played alongside Scholes at Old Trafford, has insisted that his former United teammate was a “special player” and was “built different.”
“There have already been comparisons with Paul Scholes and after the FA Cup final, Scholes claimed Mainoo is ‘10 times the player I was at 19,’” he wrote in his column for The Daily Mail.
“It’s incredibly high praise. Because Scholesy was built different. I had the good fortune of playing and training alongside him. He was a special player.
“Paul’s passing range was incredible and he struck the ball harder than nearly anybody I’ve ever known.”
Howard on blueprint that Mainoo should study
Despite the comparisons between Scholes and Mainoo, Howard believes that the United star needs to follow the “blueprint” of another player instead.
The former Everton and United shot-stopper insisted that Mainoo should develop himself based on what Declan Rice has achieved in his role at Arsenal.
“For me, there is another midfielder that Kobbie should look to for a blueprint on how to develop his game: Declan Rice,” Howard added.
“He’s had a breakout season at Arsenal because he’s now been freed up to explore what it’s like in the other penalty area. Kobe has the ability to do that, too.
“Now it is up to his managers: can they allow him to do what he’s great at – breaking things up, using his energy – but then also encourage him to get further forward?”
Scholes, on the other hand, disagreed with Howard’s take and hit out at his former United teammate on social media.
Eagle-eyed fans spotted that the United legend pulled no punches towards Howard on Instagram Stories before his post disappeared.
“Talking [s**t] Timothy… night,” Scholes wrote.