Kobbie Mainoo has shared that he takes inspiration from watching former Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets to enhance his skills on the field.
The young Manchester United star had a sensational breakout season in 2023/24, scoring five goals across 33 first-team appearances. Mainoo, along with teammates Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho, even sparked comparisons to former United legend Cristiano Ronaldo, especially after recreating one of Ronaldo’s iconic goal celebrations, which quickly went viral.
Despite Manchester United’s struggles in recent seasons, Mainoo has emerged as a standout prospect for the club’s future. Reflecting on his development, he revealed some key influences that have shaped his journey.
“I enjoy watching [Sergio] Busquets, especially how he would turn with the ball,” Mainoo shared with GQ. “I also admire players like [Clarence] Seedorf, [Luka] Modric, and Yaya Toure—the way Yaya played was something special.”
Busquets, who spent most of his career at Barcelona after rising through their youth ranks, played 722 games for the Spanish side before joining Inter Miami last summer.
