Kobbie Mainoo has touched on a telling comment that he heard in the Manchester United youth set-up ahead of pulling off a major feat with the first-team squad.
The 21-year-old Stockport-born talent rose through the ranks of the Manchester United youth academy before establishing himself as a key player at senior level.
Kobbie Mainoo enjoyed his breakout season under Erik ten Hag and was a key midfield influence for the former Ajax and United manager at Old Trafford.
The United midfielder has since overcome a turbulent period under Ruben Amorim, who had dropped Mainoo from the starting XI in the 2025-26 campaign at the club.
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We nearly lost him…!
Kobbie Mainoo on closing in on 100 Man Utd appearances and the words of former Red Devils figure Tony Whelan
The Liverpool match at Old Trafford on Sunday could mark Kobbie Mainoo’s 99th appearance for the Red Devils’ senior squad since his emergence from the academy.
Mainoo made his Manchester United first-team debut back in 2023 under Erik ten Hag and the Red Devils talent is now close to hitting a major milestone in his career.
The England international echoed the message of former United assistant academy director Tony Whelan during his time in the Premier League club’s youth set-up.
Speaking to GQ magazine, Mainoo said: “Yeah, no, that is crazy because when you’re younger in the academy, I remember Tony Whelan, the coach used to say, ‘Listen, you’ve not made 100 appearances yet for the first team.’
“So it’s just funny to look back on that and just think that I’m about to make 100 appearances.”
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Kobbie Mainoo’s feelings on being within touching distance of his Man Utd ‘accomplishment’ at only the age of 21
Mainoo, who inked a new long-term deal with the Premier League club this week, insisted that he is looking ahead to the Liverpool match amid his looming milestone.
“It’s an amazing accomplishment that seemed so far away when I was younger, but now it’s here, it feels like it’s gone so fast,” he continued.
“And Liverpool at home is probably the biggest game of our season, especially the atmosphere at United – that you can count on.”
Man Utd will welcome Liverpool to Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon for their next Premier League test, with kick-off slated for 3:30pm UK time.
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