Earlier this week, Manchester United’s academy director Nick Cox explained how arguably the most exciting Carrington graduate of his generation came to be.
And his very own footballing origin story began with the FA Cup winner developing his potentially generation-defining talents in a very different role.
“As a youngster, he was a centre-forward,” Cox tells Sky Sports. “And (he) scored a lot of goals.
“I’ve seen him play in all sorts of attacking positions. Around the age of 15, 16, he was more of an attacking midfielder.”
His days as a number nine might be behind him, of course, but where will Kobbie Mainoo‘s career take him? The 19-year-old is very much at home in the centre of the park rather than up top these days, but what kind of a midfielder will he be?
A deep-lying, string-pulling number six, perhaps? That was where Mainoo kicked off his Manchester United career on his debut against Everton back in November. Or maybe something more akin to a classic box-to-box number eight?
Five goals – five pretty brilliant goals – shows that Mainoo has not lost the finishing ability he displayed while playing as a striker at youth level.
Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo in England squad
While Mainoo’s exceptional performances in the second half of last season made up Gareth Southgate’s mind for him – there was never really any doubt that he would not be included in the final England squad for Euro 2024 – the dilemma now facing the Three Lions boss is where his twinkle-toed teenager can be most effectively deployed.
Mainoo, if he is to start against Serbia, Denmark and Slovakia in the group-stages, is likely to feature alongside Champions League winner Jude Bellingham and Arsenal’s Declan Rice.
With 50 England caps already and over 300 senior career appearances, Rice looks like the ideal mentor for the Stockport-born schemer. Not that Mainoo – just 19 but with the confidence and composure of a man ten years his senior – needs much mentoring.
“I think we have seen in the last camp, against Belgium and Brazil, what Kobbie could do,” Rice tells BBC Sport, with Mainoo all-but securing his spot with a pair of standout displays in the March friendlies.
“Obviously in the last six months – and all season really – what he has done at Manchester United, he fully deserves his place in the squad.
“(Mainoo and Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton) are two great additions. The future is looking bright for England’s midfield.”
England host Iceland at Wembley tonight
With Southgate running the rule over his options, Mainoo is likely to start during England’s final pre-tournament clash against Iceland at Wembley tonight; the national stadium already becoming something of a second home.
This will be his first outing since he slotted that gorgeous Bruno Fernandes assist into the Manchester City net in the very same arena during the FA Cup final a fortnight ago.
“All of our boys are high-potential but you certainly could see that Kobbie had some attributes that meant we wanted to continue working with him,” Cox adds.
“As time unfolded, it became clear he potentially had the ability to go on and play for our first team. On the pitch – even as a little ‘un – he was then what he is now. He’s mastered the ball – he manipulates it brilliantly.
“You could tell he had athletic potential. And now you see a powerful, explosive player.”
- Sunday June 16: Serbia v England – Arena AufSchalke, Gelsenkirchen kick-off 8pm UK time, BBC
- Thursday June 20: Denmark v England – Waldstadion, Frankfurt,kick-off 5pm UK time, BBC
- Tuesday June 25: England v Slovenia – RheinEnergieStadion, Cologne – kick-off 8pm UK time, ITV
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
