Two Manchester United players have stood out this season for making big strides forward and showing real consistency.
Diogo Dalot and Alejandro Garnacho have been reliable, while also performing at a high level, earning growing respect of supporters.
But both players recognise there is a truly special footballer coming through the ranks, whose rise to prominence has been unstoppable in recent months since he returned from injury in November.
At the weekend Mainoo made his England international debut at Wembley, featuring as a second half substitute against Brazil.
Reaction to Kobbie Mainoo England debut
Kobbie Mainoo looked perfectly comfortable on the big stage at Wembley, playing in his typically relaxed and skilful style up against high calibre opposition.
Mainoo was praised by England boss Gareth Southgate, before Luke Shaw and Bruno Fernandes reached out on social media to commend his milestone moment.
More have subsequently followed, with Diogo Dalot and Alejandro Garnacho now reaching out to the young midfielder on Instagram.
Dalot wrote: “Machine!!!! Congrats bro”, while Garnacho wrote: “What a guy”.
Garnacho and Mainoo won the FA Youth Cup together and are now senior internationals as well as first team stars.
Kobbie Mainoo will be a fixture for club and country
Manchester United unleashed the genie from the bottle last November when Kobbie Mainoo was finally brought into make his debut.
Now there is no holding him back. He has made 20first team appearances for Manchester United since, scoring two goals. And now he has been called into the England squad.
He is a regular for his club and will be for his country, irrespective of whether he is included in the Euro 2024 squad, he is expected to play a big role over the next decade, and then some.
It is always special when a player comes through the Manchester United academy, but Mainoo looks like an especially rare talent. This week legendary player Roy Keane gave his verdict that the teenager is on par with Paul Scholes at this stage of his development.