Ryan Giggs believes Kobbie Mainoo has the ability to develop into a midfielder capable of reaching the level of Manchester United legend Paul Scholes.
Kobbie Mainoo played the full 90 minutes in United’s 1-0 defeat to 10-man Manchester City at Old Trafford on Sunday. Despite the result, Kobbie Mainoo had a solid game.
Speaking on Rio Ferdinand’s YouTube channel, the former United winger pointed to Mainoo’s acceleration and strength.
“It’s not pace, it’s acceleration,” Ryan Giggs noted. “So, he’s not quick-quick, but he has got that acceleration, and he’s, you know, strong physically. He’s a very, very good player.”
Giggs wants Kobbie Mainoo to add Scholes-like vision
Giggs was then asked whether Kobbie Mainoo could develop the same level of vision that made Scholes such an influential player for United.
The Welshman was positive about the possibility, although he believes Mainoo still has areas of his game to develop.
“Yeah, I mean, that should be the first pass a midfielder looks at really, you know, ball in behind that 30-yard switch potentially,” Giggs explained.
“So, if he adds that to his game, as well as the dribbling as well as the short passing, then who knows?”
Giggs also felt sorry for Mainoo during the final stages of the derby, when the midfielder continued trying to make things happen despite running out of energy.
“I felt sorry for the last 10 minutes because he was still trying to do [too much]. He got the ball taken off him because he was still trying to do the right thing, and he just didn’t have the energy to do it.”
