Kobbie Mainoo
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Kobbie Boateng Mainoo | ||
Date of birth | 19 April 2005 | ||
Place of birth | Stockport, 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* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2022– | Manchester United | 25 | (3) |
International career‡ | |||
2021–2022 | England U17 | 5 | (1) |
2022– | England U18 | 2 | (0) |
2023– | England U19 | 6 | (0) |
2024– | England | 7 | (0) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21:45, 19 May 2024 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 23:15, 6 July 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.
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 at under-17, under-18 and under-19 levels, before making his debut for the senior team in March 2024.
Early life
Kobbie Boateng Mainoo[3] was born on 19 April 2005[1] in Stockport, Greater Manchester,[4] to parents from Ghana.[5] His older brother is Jordan Hames, who appeared as a contestant on the fifth series of Love Island.[6] He was raised in Cheadle Hulme, a suburb of Stockport,[7] and started his youth career at Cheadle & Gatley Junior Football Club, before joining Manchester United at the age of nine.[8]
Club career
Manchester United
2022–23 season
Mainoo signed his first professional contract with Manchester United in May 2022.[9] His performances, including a good midfield display against Carlisle United in the EFL Trophy, earned him a call-up to the first-team squad for training in October 2022.[citation needed]
Mainoo was named on the bench for the first time on 16 October, for a Premier League match against Newcastle United,[10] followed by making his senior debut on 10 January 2023, starting in a 3–0 home win over Charlton Athletic in the EFL Cup.[11] 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.[12]
2023–24: Breakthrough
Mainoo travelled with the Manchester United squad on their 2023–24 pre-season tour in the United States.[13] However, he picked up an injury which kept him out for the start of the upcoming season.[14] 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 received the man of the match award.[15][16] On 29 November, he made his UEFA Champions League debut, coming off the bench in the 58th minute of a 3–3 away draw against Galatasaray in the group stage.[17]
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.[18] 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.[19] The goal was later awarded Premier League Goal of the Month for February 2024.[20] On 7 April, Mainoo netted his first professional goal at Old Trafford in a 2–2 draw with rivals Liverpool in the Premier League.[21]
In the FA Cup final on 25 May, Mainoo scored the winning goal in a 2–1 victory over local rivals Manchester City.[22] He became the first English teenager to score in a final since Steve MacKenzie for City against Tottenham Hotspur in 1981 and the youngest since John Sissons for West Ham United against Preston North End in 1964.[23] The 2023–24 season has widely been credited as being a breakthrough for Mainoo,[24] and in May 2024, he was nominated for the Premier League Young Player of the Season award.[25]
International career
Mainoo has represented England at under-17, under-18, and under-19 youth levels, and at the senior level.[26]
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.[27] He made his debut aged 18 on 23 March 2024 as a 75th-minute substitute for Conor Gallagher in a 1–0 defeat to Brazil at Wembley Stadium.[28] Mainoo made his first England start against Belgium once again at Wembley three days later, in which he picked up a good reception following the game where he came off after 75 minutes for James Maddison, and was eventually awarded man of the match.[29]
On 6 June, Mainoo was named in England's 26-man squad for UEFA Euro 2024.[30] He made his competitive debut in the team's opening match, playing the last four minutes as a substitute for Jude Bellingham as England beat Serbia 1–0 in Gelsenkirchen.[31] On 25 June, he played the second half against Slovenia in the team's final Group C match, replacing Conor Gallagher at half time.[32]
On 30 June, Mainoo became the third-youngest player to start for the England men's team at the knockout stage of a major tournament in the 2–1 win over Slovakia at the round of 16 stage.[33] He played 84 minutes before being substituted for Eberechi Eze.[34]
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.[35][36][37] Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has compared his style of play to that of Clarence Seedorf.[38] Manager Erik ten Hag has praised his ability to "quickly adapt to high levels", as well as his willingness to progress and develop as a player.[39][40] Pundit and former United midfielder Paul Scholes praised him: "Read a few comparisons between me and this kid last week... don't waste your time, he is 10 times the player I was at 19. 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. This boy is special."[22]
Career statistics
Club
- As of match played 25 May 2024
Club | Season | League | FA Cup | EFL Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
Manchester United U21 | 2022–23[41] | — | — | — | — | 3[a] | 0 | 3 | 0 | |||
2023–24[42] | — | — | — | — | 1[a] | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||||
Total | — | — | — | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |||||
Manchester United | 2022–23[41] | Premier League | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
2023–24[42] | Premier League | 24 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2[b] | 0 | 32 | 5 | |
Total | 25 | 3 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 35 | 5 | ||
Career total | 25 | 3 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 39 | 5 |
- ^ a b Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy
- ^ Appearances in UEFA Champions League
International
- As of match played 6 July 2024[26]
National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
---|---|---|---|
England | 2024 | 7 | 0 |
Total | 7 | 0 |
Honours
Manchester United U18
Manchester United
Individual
- Premier League Goal of the Month: February 2024[20]
- Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year: 2022–23[45]
References
- ^ a b "Kobbie Mainoo: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
- ^ a b "Local hero: Kobbie Mainoo bringing cheer at troubled Manchester United". The Guardian. London. 1 December 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
- ^ "2022/23 Premier League squads confirmed". Premier League. 16 September 2022. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
- ^ "K. Mainoo: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Fans are only just discovering who Kobbie Mainoo's older brother is". SportBible. 9 December 2023. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Manchester United might be about to unleash their own future midfield star vs Cadiz". Manchester Evening News. 7 December 2022. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
- ^ Fay, Richard (17 May 2022). "Manchester United starlet Kobbie Mainoo signs first professional deal". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Stone, Simon (10 January 2023). "Manchester United 3–0 Charlton Athletic". BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
- ^ Kerr, Joshua (19 February 2023). "Manchester United 3 Leicester City 0". Manchester United F.C. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
- ^ Luckhurst, Samuel (19 July 2023). "Manchester United confirm pre-season tour squad". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
- ^ Mamaniyat, Abdullah (18 August 2023). "Erik Ten Hag provides Kobbie Mainoo injury timescale". Red Devil Armada. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
- ^ "Kobbie Mainoo: Man Utd youngster's full Premier League debut against Everton praised by Gary Neville and Roy Keane". Sky Sports. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
- ^ Nelson, Joe (26 November 2023). "Who was United's Man of the Match against Everton?". Manchester United F.C.
- ^ "Galatasaray 3–3 Man Utd". The Guardian. London. 29 November 2023.
- ^ "Newport County 2–4 Man Utd". BBC Sport. 28 January 2024.
- ^ "Wolverhampton Wanderers 3–4 Manchester United". BBC Sport. 1 February 2024.
- ^ a b "Mainoo's late stunner wins Budweiser Goal of the Month award". Premier League. 8 March 2024. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
- ^ "Manchester United 2-2 Liverpool: Mohamed Salah scores late penalty to snatch point for Reds". BBC Sport. 8 April 2024. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^
- Multiple sources:
Jackson, Jamie (24 May 2024). "Kobbie Mainoo: 'When I try to go to the corner shop I get a bit more attention these days'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 7 June 2024. - Smith, Emma; Stone, Simon (19 March 2024). "Kobbie Mainoo England call-up: Manchester United midfielder's rise to stardom". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
- 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 7 June 2024.
- Gallagher, Jack (27 March 2024). "Gareth Southgate reveals how Kobbie Mainoo breakthrough has changed England's Euro 2024 plans". 90min.com. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
- Multiple sources:
- ^ Carney, Sam (9 May 2024). "Mainoo nominated for Young Player of the Season". Manchester United F.C. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
- ^ a b "Kobbie Mainoo: Internationals". worldfootball.net. HEIM:SPIEL. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
- ^ "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.
- ^ McNulty, Phil (23 March 2024). "England 0–1 Brazil". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
- ^ McNulty, Phil (26 March 2024). "England 2–2 Belgium". BBC Sport.
- ^ "Eze & Wharton named in England squad for Euro 2024". BBC Sport. 6 June 2024. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
- ^ "Serbia 0–1 England LIVE: UEFA Euro 2024 – score, updates & reaction". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
- ^ "England vs Slovenia: Line-ups". UEFA. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
- ^ "Kobbie Mainoo makes first tournament start as England beat Slovakia in Euro 2024 Last 16". Manchester United. 30 June 2024. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
- ^ "England vs Slovakia: Line-ups". UEFA. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
- ^ Clarke, Adrian (22 February 2024). "How Mainoo has brought control to Man Utd's midfield". Premier League. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Manship, Jack (19 March 2024). "England 2024: Overlooked players - data analysis". totalfootballanalysis.com. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
- ^ "Wolves 3–4 Man Utd: Kobbie Mainoo continues rise to stardom with 'dream' winning goal". BBC Sport. 2 February 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
- ^ Peach, Simon (30 March 2024). "Erik ten Hag expects Kobbie Mainoo to handle the hype after star England debut". The Independent.
- ^ Hemingway, Rob (2 February 2024). "ERIK TEN HAG EXCLUSIVE: MANCHESTER UNITED BOSS OPENS UP ON KOBBIE MAINOO AND ALEJANDRO GARNACHO 'INCREDIBLE PROGRESS'". Eurosport.
- ^ a b "Games played by Kobbie Mainoo in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
- ^ a b "Games played by Kobbie Mainoo in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
- ^ "Man Utd 3–1 Nottingham Forest: Home side clinch FA Youth Cup in front of record crowd at Old Trafford". Sky Sports. 11 May 2022. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
- ^ "Manchester City 1–2 Manchester United: Line-ups". BBC Sport. 25 May 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
- ^ 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.
External links
- Profile at the Manchester United F.C. website
- Profile at the Football Association website
- Kobbie Mainoo – UEFA competition record (archive)
- 2005 births
- Living people
- Footballers from Stockport
- English men's footballers
- Men's association football midfielders
- Manchester United F.C. players
- Premier League players
- England men's youth international footballers
- England men's international footballers
- UEFA Euro 2024 players
- Black British sportsmen
- English people of Ghanaian descent
- Sportspeople of Ghanaian descent