Kobbie Mainoo is the Manchester United wonderkid on an unstoppable route to the top.
We have been following every single step of Kobbie Mainoo‘s career to date, and will be there for all his future success with Manchester United and England.
Mainoo is only 18 and has achieved a lot already, and there is so much more to come. Mainoo has won over manager Erik ten Hag, and he looks set to become one of the club’s many top level academy graduates.
His meteoric rise has been gathering pace. Here is a rundown of the key moments in Kobbie Mainoo’s career so far.
Under-18s debut: 3/10/20
Kobbie Mainoo made his debut for Manchester United’s under-18s at just 15-years-old. He played as a substitute in a 2-1 loss away at City, coming on as a 16th minute substitute for Mateo Mejia, after he suffered an injury.
Mainoo was replaced in a tactical change in the 77th minute, with his replacement being Alejandro Garnacho, who was making his under-18s debut too after his move from Atletico Madrid. So Mainoo got there first, by a matter of minutes. Omari Forson was among United’s starters.
At the end of the year, Mainoo was picked out as our player to watch in 2021, one who could eventually follow in Marcus Rashford‘s footsteps.
Under-21s debut: 30/10/21
Almost a full 13 months on, Kobbie Mainoo made his debut for Manchester United’s under-21s, then referred to as the under-23s. He was just 16 at the time.
He was a late substitute, coming on for Isak Hansen-Aaroen in the 84th minute in a 1-0 loss at Tottenham. Anthony Elanga and Amad were among the starters, with Teden Mengi captaining the team.
FA Youth Cup winner: 11/5/22
Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho were soon celebrating after leading Manchester United’s under-18 side to win the 2022 FA Youth Cup.
Mainoo played a key role in midfield along with Hansen-Aaroen and Dan Gore, starting every single game. He scored two goals in United’s run to the final, netting against Reading and Everton, providing an assist against Leicester.
He was one of the youngest starters in the side, and looked completely at home playing in front of the crowds at Old Trafford.
Mainoo grabs winter friendly chance: 7/12/22
While several first team stars were in Qatar for the World Cup, Erik ten Hag and his coaching staff whisked the squad away to Spain for two mid-season friendly matches.
Kobbie Mainoo was a half-time substitute against Cadiz, and grabbed his chance, getting on the scoresheet after just four minutes. This was enough to signify to the manager that he was ready for senior involvement. It would be a month later he made his first team bow.
First team debut: 10/1/23
Kobbie Mainoo was named as a starter at Old Trafford for the Carabao Cup quarter-final as Manchester United beat Charlton Athletic 3-0. He was only 17.
Ten Hag explained: “He did very well in the training camp in Spain and against Everton in a friendly, so he deserves to play. I’m happy to give him a chance.”
He was the second of five academy players Ten Hag has currently handed a debut to. Mainoo obviously impressed because he was handed his FA Cup debut later in the month, replacing Casemiro in a fourth round win away at Reading.
Premier League debut: 19/2/23
Kobbie Mainoo made his Premier League debut in February 2023 as a second half substitute at home to Leicester City.
He played the final 10 minutes of the 3-0 win, completing seven of eight passes attempted, and was subsequently praised by his teammates.
This would be the final involvement for Mainoo of the 2022/23 season, after he subsequently suffered an injury.
First Premier League start: 26/11/23
An injury in pre-season further delayed Kobbie Mainoo’s progress, after he had looked so bright in the initial friendlies. So he didn’t make his first appearance of 2023/24 until late November.
It was worth the wait. Mainoo, now 18, was named as a starter in a tricky looking fixture away at Everton.
While the game is remembered partly for Alejandro Garnacho’s truly spectacular bicycle kick, it was also notable for being the one where Mainoo announced himself as a major talent.
He was composed in midfield, showing the team what had been missing, with this one display being enough to earn a regular starting spot. United won the game 3-0, with Mainoo’s performance lauded by fans and pundits alike.
Champions League debut: 29/11/23
Erik ten Hag decided to give Kobbie Mainoo an even trickier test days later, when United were ‘welcomed to Hell’ away at Galatsasaray, for his Champions League debut.
This game ended in a dispiriting 3-3 draw, Mainoo’s substitute performance was one of the best parts about United’s performance.
Amid an intense atmosphere, Mainoo completed 100 per cent of his passes, showing the composure which has made him a standout prospect.
First Manchester United goal: 28/1/24
Kobbie Mainoo’s first Manchester United goal came in a 4-2 win over League Two side Newport in the FA Cup fourth round.
He was a starter this time, showing how far he had come a year on since his substitute showing at the same stage away at Reading in 2023. And to highlight that, he got on the scoresheet with a curling finish in the 13th minute. Better was to come days later…
First Premier League goal: 1/2/24
This was spectacular and summed up Manchester United’s season. An error-strewn performance had seen the team twice give up two-goal leads to be pegged back to 3-3 at Wolves. And then Kobbie Mainoo took over.
The wonderkid took matters into his own hands, starting a jinking run, before angling a shot low into the bottom corner to seal a spectacular 4-3 win.
It was a special moment, showing Mainoo’s ability to influence key games, at key moments, and his rising confidence.
Speaking after the goal, Ten Hag raved: “He is making incredible progress. He has great abilities, he is the modern midfield player.”
Wins United player of the month: 3/2/24
Days later Kobbie Mainoo collected his first ever Manchester United player of the month award. It is expected to be the first of many.
He earned 63 per cent of the vote in a one-sided poll, ahead of club captain Bruno Fernandes, who was second, down on 21 per cent.
Wins Premier League goal of the month: 8/3/24
Kobbie Mainoo’s dazzling goal away at Wolves saw him win his first Premier League award, the goal of the month award for February.
He will be in the mix for goal of the season, although this is expected to be a foregone conclusion in Alejandro Garnacho’s favour.
Both players are expected to be juking it out for the Premier League young player of the season at the end of this year. Either would be deserving winners.
Named in England squad: 19/3/24
Kobbie Mainoo put in another very impressive performance in Manchester United’s FA Cup quarter-final win over Liverpool.
So good, that England boss Gareth Southgate made a U-turn on his decision not to select him for England, that he created an extra spot and promoted him.
England are keen for him to commit his future, with Mainoo also eligible for Ghana. He is expected to make his international debut this week in upcoming friendly games against Brazil or Belgium. A possible spot for Euro 2024 is up for grabs.