Kobbie Mainoo’s rapid rise to the top may have surprised some fans – but he has been on the radar of the European elite for years.
Although he is only 19, he is in the England squad for the 2024 European Championship and is considered a starter in the knockout rounds.
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The Manchester United star was already considered a future world-class player at the age of eleven and Juventus was one of the clubs interested in the “next Paul Pogba”.
Mainoo continued his stunning breakthrough by winning the man of the match trophy in his first game for England, in a 2-2 draw with Belgium in March.
The teenager, who made 35 appearances in his first full season for the Red Devils and is an FA Cup winner, has now made five appearances for the Three Lions’ national team.
Mainoo was not expected to play a major role in Germany this summer, but he shone after coming on as a substitute in England’s final group match against Slovenia.
Read more about Kobbie Mainoo
His former coach recognized his potential at a young age, but the European heavyweights got their first glimpse of his talent at the age of 11.
Pawel Klama saw Mainoo as Man United’s number 10 in the Murapol Cup match against Polish team Akademia Pilkarska Wisly Krakow in 2016.
However, the Polish sports journalist was already familiar with the youngster’s abilities due to his outstanding performances in Warsaw.
United’s U11s won the Legia Cup in 2015 and young Mainoo was named the tournament’s most valuable player.
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And this left Juventus, who finished second behind United, eager to poach another midfield maestro from Carrington, having lured Pogba to Turin three years earlier.
In an exclusive interview with The Pitch Prospect.com, Klama recalled: “During the Legia Cup, he caught the attention of many people.
“From tournament observers to organizers to staff at other teams, including Juventus, where the coaches themselves asked if I knew more about him.
“They were interested in him, but that was pretty much it.
“Most teams were impressed with him, with the way he plays and with how mature he is at this stage of his football learning phase.
“I don’t know whether there was any interest later.”
Klama continued: “What distinguished him at that age – at U11 team level – was his self-confidence. He was not afraid to play 1 against 2 or even 1 against 3.”
“He played brilliantly with the ball at his feet and definitely had outstanding technique.
“What stood out the most, though, was the way he led the team at such a young age. He was, I don’t want to call him a leader, but the other guys listened to him. It was obvious he had something.
“He was definitely one of those young guys that stood out straight away and having watched the Manchester Academy for nearly 15 years, he is certainly one of the biggest talents of our generation in the academy.
“We all know the class of 1992, but to be honest I have never seen a boy like him, either then or now.”
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Unlike Pogba, Stockport-born Mainoo stayed at United and came through the club’s academy before establishing himself in the team.
Former United star and current Nottingham Forest player Anthony Elanga was one of the people Mainoo compared to Pogba last year.
However, after his breakthrough in the England national team, the 18-year-old was rightly compared to one of the best United players to ever wear the Three Lions shirt.
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Klama added to The Pitch Prospect.com: “Now he’s in the spotlight and he’s got to deal with that, deal with pressure, recognition and fame.
“I think he will handle everything that matters. Many compare him to Pogba, but when it comes to opportunities, confidence and character, I would compare him more to [David] “Beckhams.”
Now he is ready for whatever England coach Gareth Southgate throws at him at the 2024 European Championships.
“Me and Cole [Palmer]we are ready,” he told ITV. “We are ready whenever we are needed, just like the rest of the boys. We train hard and then when we get our chances we try to make an impression so that we can play from the start and try to help the team as much as we can.”
“I love football and I love playing. Everyone on the bench wants to be on the pitch.”