Kobbie Mainoo

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Kobbie Mainoo
Personal information
Full name Kobbie Boateng Mainoo
Date of birth (2005-04-19) 19 April 2005 (age 19)
Place of birth Stockport, Greater Manchester, England
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) [1]
Position(s) Midfielder [2]
Team information
Current team
 Manchester United
Number 37
Youth career
Cheadle & Gatley
–2022 Manchester United
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2022– Manchester United 42 (3)
International career‡
2021–2022 England U17 5 (1)
2022 England U18 2 (0)
2023 England U19 6 (0)
2024– England 10 (0)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing Flag of England.svg  England
UEFA European Championship
Runner-up 2024 Team
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 22:49, 26 January 2025 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 22:05, 7 September 2024 (UTC)

Kobbie Boateng Mainoo (born 19 April 2005) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team. Known for his dribbling, composure, and technical ability, he is widely regarded as one of the best young players in the world. [3] [4] [5]

Contents

Mainoo is a graduate of Manchester United's youth system and won the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award in 2023. He made his first-team debut in an EFL Cup match in January 2023. Mainoo played for England from under-17 youth level, before making his debut for the senior team in March 2024.

Early life

Kobbie Boateng Mainoo [6] was born on 19 April 2005 [1] in Stockport, Greater Manchester, [7] to parents from Ghana. [8] His older brother is Jordan Mainoo-Hames, who appeared as a contestant on the fifth series of Love Island . [9] He was raised in Cheadle Hulme, a suburb of Stockport, [10] and started his youth career at Cheadle & Gatley Junior Football Club. [11] He was scouted for Manchester United at the age of six, [12] signed up at the age of seven, [13] and joined the academy at the age of nine. [11]

Club career

Manchester United

2022–2023

Mainoo signed his first professional contract with Manchester United in May 2022. [14] His performances earned him a call-up to the first-team squad for training in October. [15]

Mainoo was named on the bench for the first time on 16 October 2022, for a Premier League match against Newcastle United, [16] followed by making his senior debut on 10 January 2023, starting in a 3–0 home win over Charlton Athletic in the EFL Cup. [17] He made his league debut on 19 February by coming on as a substitute in a 3–0 home win against Leicester City in the Premier League. [18]

2023–2024

Mainoo travelled with the Manchester United squad on their 2023–24 pre-season tour in the United States. [19] However, he picked up an injury which kept him out for the start of the upcoming season. [20] Returning from injury, Mainoo made his first league start for Manchester United on 26 November 2023, in a 3–0 Premier League victory away to Everton, in which he was named man of the match. [21] On 29 November, he made his UEFA Champions League debut, coming off the bench in a group stage 3–3 away draw against Galatasaray. [22]

On 28 January 2024, Mainoo scored his first goal for Manchester United in a 4–2 win away to Newport County in the FA Cup fourth round. [23] A few days later, on 1 February, he scored his first Premier League goal in a 4–3 away victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers, with the winning goal coming in the seventh minute of stoppage time. [24] The goal was later awarded Premier League Goal of the Month for February 2024. [25] On 7 April, he netted his first professional goal at Old Trafford in a 2–2 draw with rivals Liverpool in the Premier League. [26]

In the FA Cup final, Mainoo scored the eventual winning goal in a 2–1 victory over local rivals Manchester City. [27] He became the first English teenager to score in a final since Steve MacKenzie in 1981 and the youngest since John Sissons in 1964. [28] His performances for the season were widely praised, with him being nominated for the Premier League Young Player of the Season award. [29]

International career

Mainoo has represented England at under-17, under-18, and under-19 youth levels, and at the senior level. [30]

In March 2024, Mainoo was called up to the senior squad for the first time for England's friendlies against Brazil and Belgium, after previously being drafted for the under-21s. [31] Aged 18, he made his debut on 23 March as a substitute for Conor Gallagher in a 1–0 defeat to Brazil at Wembley Stadium. [32] He made his first England start in a 2–2 draw against Belgium, in which he was named man of the match. [33]

On 6 June, Mainoo was named in England's 26-man squad for UEFA Euro 2024. [34] He made his competitive debut in the team's opening match, playing the last four minutes as a substitute for Jude Bellingham in a 1–0 win over Serbia. [35] On 25 June, he played the second half against Slovenia in a 0–0 draw in the team's final group stage match, replacing Conor Gallagher at half time. [36] In the round of 16 match against Slovakia, he became the third-youngest player to start for England at a knockout stage of a major tournament in a 2–1 win. [37] On 10 July, in a 2–1 win in the semi-finals against Netherlands, he became the youngest England player to play a semi-final of a major tournament. [38] Four days later, he started in the final, which ended in a 2–1 defeat to Spain. [39]

Style of play

Mainoo is primarily a central midfielder who is also capable of playing as a defensive midfielder and attacking midfielder. [2] An intelligent and composed player, he excels in driving the ball forward, using his dribbling skills to navigate through tight spaces and evade defenders. [40] [41] [42] Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has compared his style of play to that of Clarence Seedorf. [43] Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag praised his ability to "quickly adapt to high levels", as well as his willingness to progress and develop as a player. [44] [45] Pundit and former United midfielder Paul Scholes praised him, saying that "Just love the way he receives the ball, the calmness, the awareness of what's around him, and of course big goals in big games." [27]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 30 January 2025
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeague FA Cup EFL Cup Europe OtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Manchester United U21 2022–23 [46] ————3 [a] 030
2023–24 [47] ————1 [a] 010
Total————4040
Manchester United 2022–23 [46] Premier League 10101000—30
2023–24 [47] Premier League24362002 [b] 0—325
2024–25 [48] Premier League17010103 [c] 11 [d] 0231
Total42382205110586
Career total42382205150626
  1. 1 2 Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy
  2. ↑ Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  3. ↑ Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  4. ↑ Appearance in FA Community Shield

International

As of match played 7 September 2024 [30]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
England 2024100
Total100

Honours

Manchester United U18

Manchester United

England

Individual

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References

  1. 1 2 "Kobbie Mainoo: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  2. 1 2 Unwin, Will (1 December 2023). "Local hero: Kobbie Mainoo bringing cheer at troubled Manchester United". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  3. ↑ "The best young footballers in the world - ranked".
  4. ↑ "20 Best Young Players in the Premier League [Ranked]".
  5. ↑ Ferdinand, Rio. "Why Mainoo has 'wow factor' - and could be one of the greats".
  6. ↑ "2022/23 Premier League squads confirmed". Premier League. 16 September 2022. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
  7. ↑ "K. Mainoo: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  8. ↑ Blanche, Phil (19 March 2024). "Stockport star shining for Man Utd – England's latest call-up Kobbie Mainoo". The Independent. London. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  9. ↑ Kenmare, Jack (9 December 2023). "Fans are only just discovering who Kobbie Mainoo's older brother is". SPORTBible. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  10. ↑ Whitwell, Laurie (1 March 2024). "The making of Kobbie Mainoo: 'United and City were chasing him when he was six'". The Athletic. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  11. 1 2 Fay, Richard (7 December 2022). "Manchester United might be about to unleash their own future midfield star vs Cadiz". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  12. ↑ Bartram, Steve (27 March 2024). "Must read: The rise and rise of Kobbie Mainoo". Manchester United F.C. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  13. ↑ Whitwell, Laurie (1 March 2024). "The making of Kobbie Mainoo, United's 'special' teenage talent". The Athletic . ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  14. ↑ Fay, Richard (17 May 2022). "Manchester United starlet Kobbie Mainoo signs first professional deal". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
  15. ↑ "Kobbie Mainoo | Player profile | Man Utd". Manchester United F.C. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  16. ↑ Railston, Steven (16 October 2022). "Who is Kobbie Mainoo? Meet the Manchester United youngster named on the bench vs Newcastle". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
  17. ↑ Stone, Simon (10 January 2023). "Manchester United 3–0 Charlton Athletic". BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  18. ↑ Kerr, Joshua (19 February 2023). "Manchester United 3 Leicester City 0". Manchester United F.C. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  19. ↑ Luckhurst, Samuel (19 July 2023). "Manchester United confirm pre-season tour squad". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  20. ↑ Mamaniyat, Abdullah (18 August 2023). "Erik Ten Hag provides Kobbie Mainoo injury timescale". Red Devil Armada. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  21. ↑ "Kobbie Mainoo: Man Utd youngster's full Premier League debut against Everton praised by Gary Neville and Roy Keane". Sky Sports. 27 November 2023. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  22. ↑ Glendenning, Barry (29 November 2023). "Galatasaray 3–3 Manchester United: Champions League – as it happened". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
  23. ↑ McNulty, Phil (28 January 2024). "FA Cup: Newport County 2–4 Manchester United avoid upset at Rodney Parade". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  24. ↑ Smith, Emma (1 February 2024). "Wolverhampton Wanderers 3–4 Manchester United: Kobbie Mainoo scores 97th-minute winner in thriller". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
  25. 1 2 "Mainoo's late stunner wins Budweiser Goal of the Month award". Premier League. 8 March 2024. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
  26. ↑ McNulty, Phil (8 April 2024). "Manchester United 2–2 Liverpool: Mohamed Salah scores late penalty to snatch point for Reds". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  27. 1 2 3 Yew, Oliver (26 May 2024). "Man City 1–2 Man Utd: Erik ten Hag's side end season on high with stunning FA Cup final win at Wembley". Sky Sports. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  28. ↑ Opta Analyst (25 May 2024). "Manchester City 1–2 Manchester United Stats: Teenage Dreams for United As They Win FA Cup Final". theanalyst.com. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  29. ↑ Carney, Sam (9 May 2024). "Mainoo nominated for Young Player of the Season". Manchester United F.C. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  30. 1 2 "Kobbie Mainoo: Internationals". worldfootball.net. HEIM:SPIEL. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
  31. ↑ "Kobbie Mainoo: Man Utd midfielder handed first England call-up after being drafted in from Under-21s". Sky Sports. 19 March 2024. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  32. ↑ McNulty, Phil (23 March 2024). "England 0–1 Brazil: Teenager Endrick scores late winner at Wembley". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  33. ↑ McNulty, Phil (26 March 2024). "England 2–2 Belgium: Late Jude Bellingham goal saves hosts from second successive Wembley defeat". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  34. ↑ "Eze & Wharton named in England squad for Euro 2024". BBC Sport. 6 June 2024. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  35. ↑ "Serbia 0–1 England LIVE: UEFA Euro 2024 – score, updates & reaction". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  36. ↑ "England vs Slovenia | Line-ups | UEFA EURO 2024". UEFA.com. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
  37. ↑ Bostock, Adam (30 June 2024). "Kobbie Mainoo makes first tournament start as England beat Slovakia in Euro 2024 last-16 tie". Manchester United F.C. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  38. ↑ Segar, David (11 July 2024). "Netherlands 1–2 England Stats: Super Sub Watkins Fires Three Lions Into Euro 2024 Final". theanalyst.com. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  39. 1 2 McNulty, Phil (14 July 2024). "Spain 2–1 England: Heartbreak for England in Euro 2024 Final". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 15 July 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  40. ↑ Clarke, Adrian (22 February 2024). "How Mainoo has brought control to Man Utd's midfield". Premier League. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  41. ↑ Bate, Adam (19 March 2024). "Kobbie Mainoo's Manchester United magic explained: How does the teenager find time and space that others cannot?". Sky Sports. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  42. ↑ Manship, Jack (19 March 2024). "England 2024: Overlooked players - data analysis". totalfootballanalysis.com. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  43. ↑ Smith, Emma; Stone, Simon (2 February 2024). "Wolves 3–4 Man Utd: Kobbie Mainoo continues rise to stardom with 'dream' winning goal". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  44. ↑ Peach, Simon (29 March 2024). "Erik ten Hag expects Kobbie Mainoo to handle the hype after star England debut". The Independent. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  45. ↑ Hemingway, Rob (2 February 2024). "Erik ten Hag exclusive: Manchester United boss opens up on Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho 'incredible progress'". Eurosport. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  46. 1 2 "Games played by Kobbie Mainoo in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  47. 1 2 "Games played by Kobbie Mainoo in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  48. ↑ "Games played by Kobbie Mainoo in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
  49. ↑ "Man Utd 3–1 Nottingham Forest: Homeside clinch FA Youth Cup in front of record crowd at Old Trafford". Sky Sports. 11 May 2022. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  50. ↑ Ganley, Joe (25 May 2023). "Kobbie Mainoo named Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year 2022 23". Manchester United F.C. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
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