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'There's signs' - Ferdinand sees similarities between Mainoo and midfield legend

talksport.com, 2 February 2024, 10:16
Rio Ferdinand believes Kobbie Mainoo could be the next Clarence Seedorf.

The Manchester United teenager grabbed the headlines with his stoppage time winner against Wolves in a dramatic 4-3 win.

Mainoo, 18, nutmegged defender Max Kilman before curling the ball into the bottom corner with a composed finish.

The goal was his second in five days following his strike against Newport County in the FA Cup and it has added to his impressive rise into the first-team.

And Ferdinand was one of the many impressed fans watching.

Speaking to Laura Woods on TNT Sports, he talked up the academy prospect and said the future is bright. "I'm not saying he's of the same ability and he's that player yet but there's signs, he gives me vibes of Seedorf."

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The former United defender then explained what prompted the image of Seedorf, the former midfielder who the Champions League with Ajax, Milan and Real Madrid.

"The way he can manoeuvre in tight situations and the way he manipulates this ball, uses his body at times but then shifts it and just pops it through the legs, beautiful.

"Illusive at times as well, and it's the control and the awareness to be able to pick his spot there.

"Some players see the headlights there and the back pages and think, 'Well, I'm gonna go for it.' He just caressed it."

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Seedorf is regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of all-time and the former Netherlands international possessed great skill on the ball and the ability to retain possession under pressure.

It wasn't just Ferdinand who liked what he saw either, with his teammates responding to an Instagram post of Mainoo's that had the caption: 'The Beautiful Game'.

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Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund were among those who offered their congratulations to the youngster in the comments section.

The former responded with a simple fire emoji, and the latter used four clapping emojis to express his appreciation of the goal.

Rashford and Hojlund netted in the first-half at Wolves before Pablo Sarabia pulled one back with a penalty, only for Scott McTominay to restore United's two-goal advantage.

Goals from Kilman and Neto led the hosts to believe they had pulled off a spirited comeback but Mainoo ensured United came out on top.

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