Man Utd's Kobbie Mainoo names Barcelona legend as football inspiration

Kobbie Mainoo has revealed that he enjoys watching former Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets to develop his footballing craft.

The Manchester United youngster enjoyed a stunning breakthrough year at Old Trafford in 2023/24, netting five goals in 33 senior appearances. The 19-year-old, along with fellow stars Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho, even earned comparisons to former Red Devils star Cristiano Ronaldo, gaining attention online for reenacting a famous goal celebration performed by the Portuguese forward.

While the Old Trafford side as a whole have struggled to impress in recent seasons, Mainoo has stood out as one of the club's brightest talents for the future. It's no surprise that the Carrington talent has shone, opening up on some of the pivotal moments that have spurred him to success.

"I like to watch [Sergio] Busquets, the way he used to turn," Mainoo told GQ. "Players like [Clarence] Seedorf, [Luka] Modric. Players like Yaya Toure – I like the way he used to play.

"I see a guy here, then I'll turn this way. Or if I don’t have to do that, I can just bounce out. I don't think, like, I'm gonna turn here… it's more that if the defender gives me an option, then I'm gonna take it."

Busquets spent most of his career with the Catalan giants after developing through the club's youth system. He made 722 appearances for the La Liga side before moving to Inter Miami last summer.

Mainoo also explained what it means to be a young star at one of the biggest clubs in the world, embodying some of United's greatest ever players.

"I feel like at United it's very much in the history that they play young players, going all the way back to the Busby Babes. There's big writing up on the wall [at Carrington] saying, 'If they're good enough, they're old enough.'"

The United youngster is currently sidelined through injury. His last game for the club came in October against Aston Villa, but he is expected to remain a key figure on the pitch upon his return.

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