Kobbie Mainoo exclusive: Manchester United star on his 'crazy' rise and team-mate that left him starstruck
Published 24/01/2025 at 17:06 GMT
Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo has opened up on his dramatic rise into the club's first team. The England international made 32 appearances for the club last season, despite not breaking into the team until November. Speaking in an exclusive interview with TNT Sports, the youngster breaks down which trophy he desperately wants to bring to Old Trafford.
'The first team needs a player like you' - Mainoo relives Man United call-up
Video credit: TNT Sports
Kobbie Mainoo has revealed which Manchester United star left him starstruck when he was called into the club's first team.
The midfielder made his Red Devils debut in a League Cup tie against Charlton three years ago.
He was only 17 at the time, and swiftly made his Premier League bow too, coming on as a substitute in a 3-0 victory over Leicester six weeks later.
It was a swift rise to stardom, and speaking exclusively to Kenny Allstar on TNT Sports, Mainoo admits there was one player in particular who he was thrilled to call a team-mate.
"Casemiro," he said. "Every time I used to get FIFA, I always used to get him in midfield.
"For a good three or four FIFAs in a row, he was always in my starting team.
- How to watch Fulham v Manchester United live on TNT Sports and discovery+
- Ferdinand defends Fernandes' leadership after Rangers win
- UEL league phase finale: Who has made last 16? Who could miss out?
"It was crazy going into training with him, and at the time that he came, Ronaldo was there as well.
"That was surreal. Just to see them in training and how they train was a weird feeling."
Mainoo's debut came under Erik ten Hag, but it was Ole Gunnar Solskjaer who initially threw the England international into first team training.
The Norwegian had left the club by the time the midfielder made his competitive bow. But he still gave Mainoo a chance to shine in a match on home soil.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/01/24/4089489-82927428-2560-1440.jpg)
'Surreal' - Mainoo lived FIFA dream by playing with Casemiro and Ronaldo
Video credit: TNT Sports
"It was a behind closed doors friendly at Old Trafford and I had just played a couple of days before," he continued.
"My Under-18s coach came to me and said, 'the first team need a player. Is your body okay'?
"I was like, 'yeah'!
"Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was the coach at the time. I just went in and got 20 minutes and it was just crazy.
"That was my first ever experience. I don't know If I'd even trained with the first team at that point.
"It was just crazy seeing Cavani and players like that."
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/01/24/4089496-82927568-2560-1440.jpg)
Mainoo: Garnacho didn't prepare me for favourite celebration
Video credit: TNT Sports
Mainoo had to wait until the 2023/24 campaign to nail down a place in the United team.
But he soon forced his way into Ten Hag's plans, making 32 appearances over the course of the season.
Indeed, he impressed so much, that an England call from Gareth Southgate was just around the corner.
The midfielder was fast-tracked into The Three Lions side who finished runners-up at Euro 2024.
"I got to the under-21s and then I met the assistant manager, and he told me I had got the full call-up," he added.
"I was buzzing. I went back to my room and called my mum, called my dad, my brother and sister.
"It was so special."
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/01/23/4089060-82918853-2560-1440.jpg)
'Crazy... that is hard' - Mainoo gifted unique FA Cup winners bucket hat
Video credit: TNT Sports
International honours aside, there is one thing that Mainoo is desperate to do.
The 19-year-old has lifted one trophy so far, the 2023/24 FA Cup, when United beat bitter rivals Manchester City in the final at Wembley.
But that is not the silverware Mainoo craves most, as he concluded: "I want to win the Premier League with United. We owe it to the fans."
TNT Sports will show over 500 matches from the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Conference League across the 2024-25 season. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination.
Related Topics
Thoughts?