Manchester United starlet Kobbie Mainoo was awarded his first Premier League start in their 3-0 triumph over Everton at Goodison Park. SportsLens take a look at who the young midfielder is and just how promising a talent he is.
Kobbie Mainoo Background
Kobbie Mainoo is an 18-year-old central midfielder who has played for Manchester United since he was nine. Born in Stockport, Mainoo originally played for Cheadle & Gatley’s juniors before being snapped up by the Red Devils.
Kobbie Mainoo Manchester United Debut
After signing his first professional contract in May 2022, Mainoo was first named on the bench for the senior team in October 2022, ahead of a Premier League match against Newcastle United.
Three months later, in early 2023, Mainoo made his competitive debut in a 3-0 Carabao Cup win over Charlton Athletic. The following month he made his league debut coming on as a substitute in a 3-0 win against Leicester City.
In November 2023, he made his first Premier League start, shining in a 3-0 win over Everton at Goodison Park.
What Type Of Player Is Kobbie Mainoo?
Mainoo is an elegant, technical central midfielder, capable of operating as both a ‘6’ and as an ‘8’. He shows an impressive level of intelligence and maturity on the ball for a player his age.
He plays with bravery in and out of possession, willing to receive in tight or deep areas and is confident in his ability to dribble between players in the middle of the park. He also reads the game well defensively, positioning himself correctly in order to make key interceptions.
Despite not being particularly tall (5’9″), he doesn’t look out of place physically when playing against senior opposition. He is robust in the tackle and doesn’t shy from physical challenges.
How Good Is Kobbie Mainoo?
Mainoo impressed in Man United’s pre-season tour prior to the 23/24 campaign and looked set to be involved in the first-team setup for the upcoming season. However, he picked up an unfortunate injury that would rule him out for several months.
Gary Neville has heaped plenty of praise on the 18-year-old, describing him as “class” in Man United’s 3-0 win over Everton. He went as far to label him as “Man United’s best player by a street” when commentating the game on Sky Sports.
What Nationality Is Kobbie Mainoo?
Being born in Stockport, Mainoo is eligible to play for the England national team. He has already represented England at under-17, under-18 and under-19 levels.
He played five times for the England U-17s side, scoring one goal, and has featured twice for the U-18s team. He made his debut for the U-19s side in March 2023 and has featured five more times since.
As he is of Ghanian descent, he is also eligible to represent Ghana at international level.
Add Sportslens to your Google News Feed!
