Kobbie Mainoo

Kobbie Boateng Mainoo{{cite web|title=2022/23 Premier League squads confirmed|url=https://www.premierleague.com/news/2786707|publisher=Premier League|date=16 September 2022|access-date=26 December 2022}} was born on 19 April 2005 in Stockport, Greater Manchester,{{cite web|url=https://uk.soccerway.com/players/kobbie-mainoo/674546/|title=K. Mainoo: Summary|website=Soccerway|publisher=Perform Group|access-date=23 March 2024}} to parents from Ghana.{{cite news|last=Blanche|first=Phil|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/kobbie-mainoo-ghana-stockport-erik-ten-hag-fa-youth-cup-b2515120.html|title=Stockport star shining for Man Utd – England's latest call-up Kobbie Mainoo|newspaper=The Independent|location=London|date=19 March 2024|access-date=23 March 2024}} His older brother is Jordan Mainoo-Hames, who appeared as a contestant on the fifth series of Love Island.{{cite web|last=Kenmare|first=Jack|title=Fans are only just discovering who Kobbie Mainoo's older brother is|url=https://www.sportbible.com/football/football-news/man-utd/kobbie-mainoo-man-utd-premier-league-love-island-871387-20231209|website=SPORTBible|date=9 December 2023|access-date=19 December 2023}} He was raised in Cheadle Hulme, a suburb of Stockport,{{cite news|last=Whitwell|first=Laurie|url=https://theathletic.com/5308162/2024/03/01/kobbie-mainoo-manchester-united-background/|title=The making of Kobbie Mainoo: 'United and City were chasing him when he was six'|website=The Athletic|date=1 March 2024|access-date=23 March 2024}} and started his youth career at Cheadle & Gatley Junior Football Club.{{cite news|last=Fay|first=Richard|title=Manchester United might be about to unleash their own future midfield star vs Cadiz|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/man-united-kobbie-mainoo-news-25684009|newspaper=Manchester Evening News|date=7 December 2022|access-date=10 January 2023}} He then joined Failsworth Dynamos, where he played as a forward.{{cite news|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/story-telling/12028/13148353/next-up-how-kobbie-mainoo-became-manchester-uniteds-main-man |title=How Kobbie Mainoo became England's man for the big occasion |website=skysports.com |access-date=6 April 2025}} He was scouted for Manchester United at the age of six,{{Cite web|last=Bartram|first=Steve|title=Must read: The rise and rise of Kobbie Mainoo |url=https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/kobbie-mainoo-ascent-from-the-man-utd-academy|date=27 March 2024|access-date=12 July 2024|website=Manchester United F.C.}} signed up at the age of seven,{{Cite news|last=Whitwell|first=Laurie|title=The making of Kobbie Mainoo, United's 'special' teenage talent|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5308162/2024/03/01/kobbie-mainoo-manchester-united-background/|work=The Athletic|issn=0362-4331|date=1 March 2024|access-date=12 July 2024}} and joined the academy at the age of nine.

Mainoo signed his first professional contract with Manchester United in May 2022.{{cite news|last=Fay|first=Richard|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/kobbie-mainoo-manchester-united-contract-23977503|title=Manchester United starlet Kobbie Mainoo signs first professional deal|newspaper=Manchester Evening News|date=17 May 2022|access-date=16 October 2022}} His performances earned him a call-up to the first-team squad for training in October.{{cite web|url=https://www.manutd.com/en/players-and-staff/detail/kobbie-mainoo|title=Kobbie Mainoo {{!}} Player profile {{!}} Man Utd|website=Manchester United F.C.|access-date=14 July 2024}}

Mainoo was named on the bench for the first time on 16 October 2022, for a Premier League match against Newcastle United,{{cite news|last=Railston|first=Steven|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/man-united-kobbie-mainoo-newcastle-25275884|title=Who is Kobbie Mainoo? Meet the Manchester United youngster named on the bench vs Newcastle |newspaper=Manchester Evening News|date=16 October 2022|access-date=16 October 2022}} followed by making his senior debut on 10 January 2023, starting in a 3–0 home win over Charlton Athletic in the EFL Cup.{{cite news|last=Stone|first=Simon|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64149053|title=Manchester United 3–0 Charlton Athletic|website=BBC Sport|date=10 January 2023|access-date=10 January 2023}} 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.{{Cite news|last=Kerr|first=Joshua|url=https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/match-report-and-video-highlights-man-utd-v-leicester-city-premier-league-19-february-2023|title=Manchester United 3 Leicester City 0|website=Manchester United F.C.|date=19 February 2023|access-date=20 February 2023}}

Mainoo travelled with the Manchester United squad on their 2023–24 pre-season tour in the United States.{{cite news|last=Luckhurst|first=Samuel|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/man-united-tour-squad-news-27355310|title=Manchester United confirm pre-season tour squad|newspaper=Manchester Evening News|date=19 July 2023|access-date=19 July 2023}} However, he picked up an injury which kept him out for the start of the upcoming season.{{Cite web|last=Mamaniyat|first=Abdullah|url=https://reddevilarmada.com/2023/08/18/erik-ten-hag-provides-kobbie-mainoo-injury-timescale/|title=Erik Ten Hag provides Kobbie Mainoo injury timescale|website=Red Devil Armada|date=18 August 2023|access-date=20 September 2023}} 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 was named man of the match.{{Cite news|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/13017129/kobbie-mainoo-man-utd-youngsters-full-premier-league-debut-against-everton-praised-by-gary-neville-and-roy-keane|title=Kobbie Mainoo: Man Utd youngster's full Premier League debut against Everton praised by Gary Neville and Roy Keane|website=Sky Sports|date=27 November 2023|access-date=27 November 2023}} On 29 November, he made his UEFA Champions League debut, coming off the bench in a group stage 3–3 away draw against Galatasaray.{{cite news|last=Glendenning|first=Barry|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2023/nov/29/galatasaray-v-manchester-united-champions-league-live|title=Galatasaray 3–3 Manchester United: Champions League – as it happened|newspaper=The Guardian|location=London|date=29 November 2023|access-date=29 November 2023}}

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.{{cite web|last=McNulty|first=Phil|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68110828|title=FA Cup: Newport County 2–4 Manchester United avoid upset at Rodney Parade|website=BBC Sport|date=28 January 2024|access-date=28 January 2024}} A few days later, on 1 February, he scored his first Premier League goal, a stoppage time winner in a 4–3 away victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers.{{cite news|last=Smith|first=Emma|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/68090233|title=Wolverhampton Wanderers 3–4 Manchester United: Kobbie Mainoo scores 97th-minute winner in thriller|website=BBC Sport|date=1 February 2024|access-date=1 February 2024}} The goal was later awarded Premier League Goal of the Month for February 2024.{{cite web|url=https://www.premierleague.com/news/3922061|title=Mainoo's late stunner wins Budweiser Goal of the Month award|publisher=Premier League|date=8 March 2024|access-date=8 March 2024}} On 7 April, he netted his first professional goal at Old Trafford in a 2–2 draw with rivals Liverpool in the Premier League.{{cite web|last=McNulty|first=Phil|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/68702106|title=Manchester United 2–2 Liverpool: Mohamed Salah scores late penalty to snatch point for Reds|website=BBC Sport|date=8 April 2024|access-date=8 April 2024}}

In the FA Cup final, Mainoo scored the eventual winning goal in a 2–1 victory over local rivals Manchester City and was awarded Man of the Match.{{cite news|last=Yew|first=Oliver|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/man-city-vs-man-utd/report/504674|title=Man City 1–2 Man Utd: Erik ten Hag's side end season on high with stunning FA Cup final win at Wembley|date=26 May 2024|access-date=26 May 2024|website=Sky Sports}} He became the first English teenager to score in a final since Steve MacKenzie in 1981 and the youngest since John Sissons in 1964.{{cite news|url=https://theanalyst.com/eu/2024/05/manchester-city-vs-manchester-united-stats-fa-cup-final/|title=Manchester City 1–2 Manchester United Stats: Teenage Dreams for United As They Win FA Cup Final|date=25 May 2024|access-date=26 May 2024|author=Opta Analyst|website=theanalyst.com}} His performances for the season were widely praised, with him being nominated for the Premier League Young Player of the Season award.{{Cite web|last=Carney|first=Sam|title=Mainoo nominated for Young Player of the Season|url=https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/kobbie-mainoo-nominated-for-premier-league-young-player-of-the-season|date=May 9, 2024|access-date=7 June 2024|website=Manchester United F.C.}}

On 17 October 2024, Manchester United confirmed that Mainoo would be out for a few weeks following a muscle injury he picked up during a 0–0 away to Aston Villa on 6 October.{{Cite web|title=Manchester United's Mainoo out for a few weeks due to muscle injury |url=https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/manchester-uniteds-mainoo-out-few-weeks-due-muscle-injury-2024-10-18/ |date=18 October 2024|access-date=1 February 2025|website=Reuters}} He made his return on 1 December 2024, starting in a 4–0 win against Everton in new head coach Ruben Amorim's first Premier League match at Old Trafford.{{Cite web|last=Hafez|first=Shampon|title=Manchester United 4-0 Everton|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/ckglqgrwgx0t |date=1 December 2024|access-date=1 February 2025|website=BBC Sport}}

On 30 January 2025, Mainoo scored his first goal of the season and his first in Europe in a 2–0 away win over FCSB. He also got an assist and was named man of the match.{{Cite web|last=Rindl|first=Joe|title=FCSB 0-2 Manchester United|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/ce3n55vyyvkt |date=30 January 2025|access-date=1 February 2025|website=BBC Sport}}

On 17 April 2025, following a return from injury, Mainoo scored a last-minute extra-time equaliser in the second-leg of a Europa League tie against Olympique Lyon. United scored only a minute later to win 5-4, as they became the first team to score two goals in the 120th minute of a European match.{{Cite web|last=Hall |first=Peter |title=Maguire's 121st minute winner sends Man Utd through to Europa League semis |date=18 April 2025 |access-date=18 April 2025 |url=https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/maguires-121st-minute-winner-sends-man-utd-through-europa-league-semis-2025-04-17 |publisher=Reuters}}

Mainoo has represented England at under-17, under-18, and under-19 youth levels, and at the senior level.

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.{{cite news|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12016/13098125/kobbie-mainoo-man-utd-midfielder-handed-first-england-call-up-after-being-drafted-in-from-under-21s|title=Kobbie Mainoo: Man Utd midfielder handed first England call-up after being drafted in from Under-21s|website=Sky Sports|date=19 March 2024|access-date=19 March 2024}} Aged 18, he made his debut on 23 March as a substitute for Conor Gallagher in a 1–0 defeat to Brazil at Wembley Stadium.{{cite news|last=McNulty|first=Phil|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68647860|title=England 0–1 Brazil: Teenager Endrick scores late winner at Wembley|website=BBC Sport|date=23 March 2024|access-date=23 March 2024}} He made his first England start in a 2–2 draw against Belgium, in which he was named man of the match.{{cite web|last=McNulty|first=Phil|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/68603249|title=England 2–2 Belgium: Late Jude Bellingham goal saves hosts from second successive Wembley defeat|website=BBC Sport|date=26 March 2024|access-date=26 March 2024}}

On 6 June, Mainoo was named in England's 26-man squad for UEFA Euro 2024.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cv22menk7dno|title=Eze & Wharton named in England squad for Euro 2024|website=BBC Sport|date=6 June 2024|access-date=6 June 2024}} He made his competitive debut in the team's opening match, playing the last four minutes as a substitute for Jude Bellingham in a 1–0 win over Serbia.{{Cite web|title=Serbia 0–1 England LIVE: UEFA Euro 2024 – score, updates & reaction|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/cz992dxd4xwt#Line-ups|website=BBC Sport|access-date=17 June 2024}} On 25 June, he played the second half against Slovenia in a 0–0 draw in the team's final group stage match, replacing Conor Gallagher at half time.{{Cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/euro2024/match/2036189--england-vs-slovenia/lineups/|title=England vs Slovenia {{!}} Line-ups|website=UEFA|access-date=25 June 2024}} In the round of 16 match against Slovakia, he became the third-youngest player to start for England at a knockout stage of a major tournament in a 2–1 win.{{Cite web|last=Bostock|first=Adam|url=https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/kobbie-mainoo-makes-first-tournament-start-as-england-beat-slovakia-in-euro-2024-last-16|title=Kobbie Mainoo makes first tournament start as England beat Slovakia in Euro 2024 last-16 tie|date=30 June 2024|access-date=1 July 2024|website=Manchester United F.C.}} On 10 July, in a 2–1 win in the semi-finals against Netherlands, he became the youngest England player to play a semi-final of a major tournament.{{cite news|last=Segar|first=David|url=https://theanalyst.com/eu/2024/07/netherlands-vs-england-stats-euro-2024-live/|title=Netherlands 1–2 England Stats: Super Sub Watkins Fires Three Lions Into Euro 2024 Final|date=11 July 2024|access-date=14 July 2024|website=theanalyst.com}} Four days later, he started in the final, which ended in a 2–1 defeat to Spain.{{cite news|last=McNulty|first=Phil|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cp68zzx8x4rt|title=Spain 2–1 England: Heartbreak for England in Euro 2024 Final|website=BBC Sport|date=14 July 2024|access-date=15 July 2024|archive-date=15 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240715010859/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cp68zzx8x4rt|url-status=live}}

Mainoo is primarily a central midfielder who is also capable of playing as a defensive midfielder and attacking midfielder.{{cite news|last=Unwin|first=Will|title=Local hero: Kobbie Mainoo bringing cheer at troubled Manchester United|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/dec/01/local-hero-kobbie-mainoo-bringing-cheer-at-troubled-manchester-united|newspaper=The Guardian|location=London|date=1 December 2023|access-date=2 February 2024}} An intelligent and composed player, he excels in driving the ball forward, using his dribbling skills to navigate through tight spaces and evade defenders.{{Cite web|last=Clarke|first=Adrian|url=https://www.premierleague.com/news/3905433|title=How Mainoo has brought control to Man Utd's midfield|publisher=Premier League|date=22 February 2024|access-date=29 May 2024}}{{Cite web|last=Bate|first=Adam|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11096/13082805/kobbie-mainoo-s-manchester-united-magic-explained-how-does-the-teenager-find-time-and-space-that-others-cannot|title=Kobbie Mainoo's Manchester United magic explained: How does the teenager find time and space that others cannot?|website=Sky Sports|date=19 March 2024|access-date=29 May 2024}}{{Cite web|last=Manship|first=Jack|url=https://totalfootballanalysis.com/teams/england/england-2024-overlooked-data-analysis-statistics|title=England 2024: Overlooked players - data analysis|website=totalfootballanalysis.com|date=19 March 2024|access-date=29 May 2024}} Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has compared his style of play to that of Clarence Seedorf.{{cite news|last=Smith|first=Emma|last2=Stone|first2=Simon|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68176430|title=Wolves 3–4 Man Utd: Kobbie Mainoo continues rise to stardom with 'dream' winning goal|website=BBC Sport|date=2 February 2024|access-date=2 February 2024}} Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag praised his ability to "quickly adapt to high levels", as well as his willingness to progress and develop as a player.{{cite web|last=Peach|first=Simon|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/erik-ten-hag-kobbie-mainoo-manchester-united-england-lisandro-martinez-b2520625.html|title=Erik ten Hag expects Kobbie Mainoo to handle the hype after star England debut|work=The Independent|date=29 March 2024|access-date=30 March 2024}}{{cite web|last=Hemingway|first=Rob|url=https://www.eurosport.com/football/premier-league/2023-2024/erik-ten-hag-exclusive-manchester-united-boss-opens-up-on-kobbie-mainoo-and-alejandro-garnacho-incre_sto10001992/story.shtml|title=Erik ten Hag exclusive: Manchester United boss opens up on Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho 'incredible progress'|publisher=Eurosport|date=2 February 2024|access-date=2 February 2024}} Pundit and former United midfielder Paul Scholes praised him, saying that "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."

{{updated|match played 25 May 2025}}

{{notelist}}

{{updated|match played 7 September 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/kobbie-mainoo/4/|title=Kobbie Mainoo: Internationals |website=worldfootball.net|publisher=HEIM:SPIEL|date=|access-date=8 September 2024}}

Manchester United U18

• FA Youth Cup: 2021–22{{cite news|title=Man Utd 3–1 Nottingham Forest: Homeside clinch FA Youth Cup in front of record crowd at Old Trafford|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11667/12610986/man-utd-3-1-nottingham-forest-home-side-clinch-fa-youth-cup-in-front-of-record-crowd-at-old-trafford|website=Sky Sports|date=11 May 2022|access-date=17 July 2022}}

Manchester United

• FA Cup: 2023–24
• UEFA Europa League runner-up: 2024–25{{Cite web |last=UEFA.com |title=Tottenham vs Man Utd {{!}} UEFA Europa League 2024/25 Final |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/match/2044465--tottenham-vs-man-utd/ |access-date=2025-05-21 |website=UEFA.com |language=en}}

England

• UEFA European Championship runner-up: 2024

Individual

• Premier League Goal of the Month: February 2024
• Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year: 2022–23{{Cite web|last=Ganley|first=Joe|title=Kobbie Mainoo named Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year 2022 23|url=https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/kobbie-mainoo-named-jimmy-murphy-young-player-of-the-year-2022-23|website=Manchester United F.C.|date=25 May 2023|access-date=25 May 2023}}

{{reflist}}

• [https://www.manutd.com/en/players-and-staff/detail/kobbie-mainoo Profile] at the Manchester United F.C. website
• [https://www.englandfootball.com/england/mens-senior-team/squad/kobbie-mainoo Profile] at the Football Association website
• {{UEFA player}}

{{Manchester United F.C. squad}}

{{England squad UEFA Euro 2024}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mainoo, Kobbie}}

Category:2005 births

Category:Living people

Category:Footballers from Stockport

Category:English men's footballers

Category:Men's association football midfielders

Category:Manchester United F.C. players

Category:Premier League players

Category:England men's youth international footballers

Category:England men's international footballers

Category:UEFA Euro 2024 players

Category:Black British sportsmen

Category:21st-century Black British people

Category:English people of Ghanaian descent

Category:Sportspeople of Ghanaian descent

Category:21st-century English sportsmen