Breakthroughs have preceded breakdowns for Kobbie Mainoo. It has been third time lucky but there is nothing fortuitous about his remarkable rise.
It is July 2022 and Mancheseter United have not long lost their penultimate pre-season friendly against Atletico Madrid in Oslo. Nearly 1,300 miles away at the J Davison Stadium, a United XI is preparing to face National League Altrincham.
The United anoraks in the crowd noticed Mainoo, aged 17, was not as scrawny as he was when he lifted the FA Youth Cup a few months earlier. With a first major winner's medal to treasure and a new face in the manager's office at Carrington, Mainoo had embarked on a personal pre-season before returning to Carrington.READ MORE: Why Malacia is still not training with United
It was not until September 16 that Ten Hag and his assistant, Mitchell van der Gaag, watched Mainoo in the flesh for the Under-21s against West Ham. Again, it was at Altrincham, a ground United occasionally borrow for junior games. Ten Hag felt Mainoo was already in his comfort zone at under-21 level and that he should have been more dominant against West Ham. Mainoo had already been summoned from the academy building for his first ad hoc promotion to first team training. He got to rub shoulders with Cristiano Ronaldo, Casemiro and new signing Antony the day after United beat Leicester in Ten Hag's fourth match in charge.
Mainoo was so accomplished in midfield against the Arsenal duo of Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard at the start of that tour that he was accommodated with Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes and new signing Mason Mount five days later in the defeat to Madrid. "That's the first time I played under him in a game and, definitely to score in that was definitely me turning a corner, him seeing me. And then I trained with them a lot more and got to show myself a lot more."
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Manchester United now have to give Kobbie Mainoo what he wantsGareth Southgate has realised the error of his ways by turning to Kobbie Mainoo. Now Man United need to be prepared for his return.
Read more »
– Manchester United star Kobbie Mainoo opens up on club’s decision to stick with Erik te...With Manchester United wonderkid Kobbie Mainoo impressing on his full England debut against Beligium, Red Devils fan Andy Goldstein believes that Mainoo is vital for the Three Lions at Euro 2024, over the likes of Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane.
Read more »
Fans spot moment Kobbie Mainoo ‘welcomes Netherlands star to Manchester United’...Jason Cundy and Jamie O’Hara lose their minds as Ollie Watkins scores the winner to send England to the Euro 2024 final
Read more »
Kobbie Mainoo verdict as Man United star sweats on England placeKobbie Mainoo's rise to prominence with Manchester United has been incredible
Read more »
Man United dream midfielder after Joao Neves signing and Kobbie Mainoo moveJoao Neves continues to sit on the tip of Man United's tongue after becoming the latest graduate from Benfica's well-established academy
Read more »
Kobbie Mainoo opens up on Man United's Erik ten Hag decisionErik ten Hag is staying on as Man Utd manager and one of the reasons for that is the influence he has had on young players like Kobbie Mainoo.
Read more »