Man United Star Kobbie Mainoo: A Rising Talent Inspired by Yaya Toure
Manchester United‘s Kobbie Mainoo is fast becoming one of Europe’s most exciting young talents. Since making his way into Erik ten Hag’s first-team, the 19-year-old has solidified his position as a regular starter, impressing fans and coaches alike with his skill and intelligence on the field.
Mainoo etched his name in Manchester United history last season when he doubled United’s lead in their 2-1 victory over Manchester City at Wembley during the FA Cup final. The performance was so impactful that Pep Guardiola boldly predicted City would reclaim the FA Cup this season, just a day after the upset.
Following Mainoo’s first Premier League start in United’s 3-0 win over Everton, Gary Neville remarked on Sky Sports that the young midfielder “looked like a Manchester City player.”
Mainoo’s Admiration for Yaya Toure
In an interview with British GQ, Mainoo shared that he studies legendary midfielders to enhance his own game, naming Yaya Toure as one of his inspirations. “I like to watch [Sergio] Busquets, the way he used to turn,” Mainoo said. “Players like [Clarence] Seedorf, [Luka] Modric. Players like Yaya Toure, I like the way he used to play.”
Former Manchester United player-coach Tom Huddlestone noted a similar comparison when he first saw Mainoo, saying the youngster immediately reminded him of a “younger version of Yaya Toure.” Mainoo’s dribbling skills and versatility in midfield echo Toure’s style; he can play both as a number eight and as a holding midfielder, much like the City legend.
Toure’s Lasting Legacy
Toure’s influence extends beyond just Mainoo. Scott McTominay, another United academy graduate now with Napoli, also admired Toure. Reflecting on his own development, McTominay explained, “It’s always midfield players who were a similar height and a similar style to yourself you always watch growing up as a kid. I started watching people like [Zinedine] Zidane, Yaya Toure, similar sort of height and build, just tried to emulate what they do as best as I could.”
Even though Mainoo and McTominay came through United’s ranks, their admiration for Toure’s brilliance as a player highlights the lasting respect the former Manchester City star commands in the world of football. It speaks volumes about Toure’s game that, even today, players across rival teams look up to him as a source of inspiration.
