I won two Premier League titles at Man Utd.. Kobbie Mainoo is a special talent and courageous, he’s our new Paul Scholes

FORMER Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov has likened Kobbie Mainoo to club legend Paul Scholes.

Mainoo, 18, burst onto the scene last year after making his full Premier League debut in a 3-0 win over Everton.

The midfielder has since established himself as a key first team player, with Erik ten Hag praising his "incredible" progress.

And United icon Berbatov has even drawn comparisons between him and Scholes.

The former striker told : "The goal he scored against Wolves was great because it shows that he’s mature beyond his years.

"He had the courage to try something different in the last minute of the game and it was a special moment.

"Mainoo is a special player, but as with every 18-year-old, we must just let them play because at the moment, Kobbie is just enjoying football in its purest form and that’s what I like to see.

"You have to go back to the likes of Paul Scholes, Giggsy, Gary Neville, and when that crop of players broke through to see players so young seem so mature.

"Now with Kobbie, you can see he plays the game with such confidence. He’s composed and he knows how to play the game.

"Of course, we all hope he’ll get better because he’s still so young. Players like him are special individuals.

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"You see them play at a young age and they clearly have the talent. Now the only thing Kobbie must do is continue developing and work on the weak points of his game that will benefit the team."

Mainoo became a hero in the eyes of Man Utd fans when he scored a dramatic late winner against Wolves last week.

England boss Gareth Southgate is now considering the midfielder for a senior international call-up.

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