Kobbie Mainoo credits Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag for meteoric rise to England team
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Kobbie Mainoo is already an important player for Manchester United, and could be a future England star.
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BLANKENHAIN – Teenage midfielder Kobbie Mainoo is relieved that Erik ten Hag will stay on as manager of Manchester United next season, and credits his club boss for his place in England’s Euro 2024 squad in Germany.
After months of speculation, United decided to retain the under-pressure Dutchman
“Happy to be building with him, he’s already got two trophies (including the League Cup), hopefully there’s more to come, and it’s nice to have that peace of mind knowing what manager we’re going back to,” the 19-year-old Mainoo said on June 18 at England’s training base.
“I’m so grateful for (ten Hag), that he showed so much trust in me and believed in me, I can’t thank him enough.”
Mainoo was a late substitute in England’s 1-0 victory over Serbia in their European Championship opener and could feature in their Group C clash with Denmark on June 20 – a meteoric rise after just over one season in United’s first team.
He was scouted by United at the age of six and the club’s academy manager, Nick Cox, said that beyond his remarkable skills and composure, Mainoo simply loves the game.
“We make sure they never lose that child-like obsession with the intrinsic love of exploring the ball,” Cox said. “Kobbie has always loved the ball and been extremely comfortable with it.”
The midfielder had only just stepped up to United’s Under-21 side in 2022 when he joined ten Hag’s squad for a winter training camp in Spain, raising eyebrows when he scored in a game against Cadiz.
Injury in the 2023 pre-season stalled his progress – if only briefly.
He was thrust into his first top-flight start at Everton in late November, and his poise in the midfield at Goodison Park earned him the Man of the Match award in their 3-0 win.
Mainoo then put an exclamation mark on his breakout season when he scored the winner against Manchester City in United’s shock 2-1 FA Cup victory at Wembley in May.
The soft-spoken teen – who still lives with his parents and still parks in the club’s academy lot despite graduating to the first team – was nonchalant when asked about his unfailingly steady presence on the pitch.
“I was a striker for most my academy days and so I love being on the ball,” he said. “I don’t know, maybe playing futsal? I was just always comfortable playing in tight areas.”
Mainoo is one of a dozen England players with no major tournament experience, and the squad have been doing bonding exercises, including a bike ride on June 16.
He is enjoying playing alongside Jude Bellingham, who scored England’s winner against Serbia.
“Everyone knows how great of a player he is, and he’s such a nice guy as well,” Mainoo said. “He’s demanding (in training), he sets high standards that he expects, so to play with him and be around him is great.”
Ghana had approached Mainoo to play for them; he is eligible because both his parents were born there.
“I’m proud of my Ghanaian heritage,” he added, “but it’s always been a dream to play for England.” REUTERS
