Even before establishing himself as one of the first names on Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United team sheet, Kobbie Mainoo had the luxury of a money-can’t-buy vantage point from which to watch the Red Devils go about their business.
The teenager had a front-row seat throughout much of Ten Hag’s fantastic debut season in the Old Trafford dugout, playing only ten minutes of Premier League football in 2022/23 but included in the matchday squad on several occasions.
And there is one moment that stands out above all others when Kobbie Mainoo was asked, during a Q&A with the club’s official website, to pick out his favourite memory from watching his beloved Manchester United up close.
A moment supplied by a man Mainoo is fortunate enough to call a team-mate these days.
Kobbie Mainoo picks his favourite Manchester United moments
“I’ve enjoyed a lot of games where I’ve been on the bench. (Man) City, last season, at home. Old Trafford was bouncing then,” Mainoo says, a smile spreading across his boyish face as he recalls Marcus Rashford’s dramatic late winner in that thrilling Manchester derby comeback in January 2023.
“I enjoyed that a lot, to be so close to a game like that. It’s amazing to see that atmosphere.”
As far as Mainoo’s favourite all-time moment goes, there is nothing that quite matches Wayne Rooney’s iconic acrobatic effort against that very same opposition back in 2011.
“I don’t remember my first game (but) favourite United moment… Rooney’s overhead kick,” adds Mainoo who – and we do hope you’re sitting down – was only six years old when Man United’s all-time record goalscorer produced perhaps the most memorable moment in Premier League history.
These days, it’s Rooney who is watching Mainoo from the sofa rather than the other way around. And, for the 2008 Champions League winner, there are shades of a former Man United midfielder about the way Mainoo strolls around the pitch, unhurried and unflustered.
Wayne Rooney is a huge fan
“He’s been incredible,” Rooney told TNT Sports ahead of March’s 2-0, Alejandro Garnacho-inspired victory over Everton at Old Trafford. “At such a young age, the maturity he shows…
“When you see young players come into any first-team, they are normally a bit raw. He reminds me of a young Bastian Schweinsteiger in the way he entices players in and always makes the right decision.
“I think he’s got a real bright future.”
Mainoo only made his Man United debut in November – that breakthrough delayed by an injury he picked up in pre-season – but has barely missed a single game since then.
In fact, the jewel in the Carrington crown has now started 15 successive Premier League games, scoring his third goal under Erik ten Hag with a stunner against Liverpool during Sunday’s 2-2 draw between the two north west rivals.