The making of Kobbie Mainoo: ‘United and City were chasing him when he was six’

This blog post has been revised as part of The Athletic's reporting on Euro 2024 and the Copa America. It was first published earlier this year.

On a sunny Sunday afternoon, the under-14s team from Cheadle & Gatley had a big win against Stalybridge, with Aaron Laycock scoring two goals. Aaron, a 13-year-old player, knows all about the famous former player from his club.

Aaron said that the player has been performing well and seems to be humble. Aaron noticed that off the field, the player is not arrogant, and that quality is important for achieving success. When the player moved up from their team, Aaron realized that reaching the next level is achievable.

The person we are talking about is Kobbie Mainoo, who is 19 years old and has been playing regularly for Manchester United's main team. He will be starting for England in the Euro 2024 match against Slovakia today.

Kobbie Mainoo made a strong impression in the game against Slovenia.

Mainoo stood out last season with a series of impressive performances and flashes of brilliance. While he has faced some challenges along the way, his improvement is evident. His standout performance as a substitute in the match against Slovenia in Cologne caught Gareth Southgate's attention, leading him to believe that Mainoo could be the solution to England's midfield issues.

He grew up in Cheadle Hulme, Stockport, and to the boys playing for his first club, Cheadle & Gatley, his success is inspiring.

Aaron, who supports Manchester United, decided to have Marcus Rashford's name printed on the back of the replica shirt he got for Christmas. Rashford is from the nearby area of Wythenshawe, which is why Aaron chose him. However, for his next request, Aaron has someone else in mind. "I want Mainoo's name on it, for motivation," he explains.

His mother, Karlene, said: "Aaron supports United while I am a City fan. Our household is split when it comes to football loyalties. I've always supported City and I'm not changing that. His father is a United supporter."

Aaron chuckled and said, "She attempted to turn me into a City fan when I was little by dressing me in a City jersey."

Aaron, along with his mother Karlene (Laurie Whitwell/The Athletic)

Karlene explains that watching Mainoo play serves as great motivation for Aaron as he dreams of reaching a similar level of skill and passion for the game.

Aaron scored two goals against Stalybridge after smoothly dribbling past defenders. The top-notch artificial pitch at Seashell Trust, located around 10 miles from Old Trafford, allows for impressive skills to be showcased. Aaron previously had a trial at Everton and is capable of playing in various attacking positions or in midfield. He mentioned, “Mainoo is very versatile. I aspire to have that same quality – the ability to play in any position.”

Mainoo was quite young when he first put on the Cheadle & Gatley uniform. His initial coach, Steve Vare, held training sessions on indoor courts at Cheadle Hulme High School every Sunday morning. Vare recalls a talented four-year-old who stood out during those sessions.

"We used to have the younger kids playing on one field and the Year One students on another, but when Kobbie joined the younger group, he showed great skill in the games. That's when I decided to move him to the older group's field and have him play against the bigger boys," Vare explains.

I had to come up with various excuses, like saying he could only score with his non-dominant foot or had to pass the ball to a teammate.

Vare, a fan of Manchester United, was in the crowd when Mainoo led the under-18s to victory over Nottingham Forest to win the FA Youth Cup in front of 67,492 fans at Old Trafford in May 2022. Mainoo's first games took place over ten years ago. Vare would use outdated jerseys to create five-a-side teams based on the colors of the kits.

Mainoo, who is seven years old, won a school competition at Cheadle Catholic Infant School. (Photo provided by Cheadle Catholic Infant School)

"The strategy with Kobbie would involve ensuring that all the more skilled players were placed on the opposing team, leaving Kobbie to play solo," Vare explains.

"I would match him up against larger opponents. You had to be cautious because if they weren't prepared, the physicality could catch them off guard, but that was never the case with Kobbie. He was always up for the challenge. He would quickly get on the field and start weaving in and out."

I wanted to move him to the better teams for younger kids, but they were already full. We couldn't accept any more children. Kobbie was with us for over a year, but eventually I told his father Felix that I couldn't provide any more opportunities for him in our program.

When Mainoo was six years old, he tried out for Failsworth Dynamos, a football team located in the same town as Sir Jim Ratcliffe. The team played on grass fields in the Curzon and Ashton league. Mainoo was a year younger than the other players, but he impressed Ian Kelly, the coach of the under-sevens team, with his skills. However, Mainoo needed some help learning how to play as part of a team, rather than just focusing on individual tricks and moves. Kelly recalls that it took Mainoo some time to understand the importance of passing and working together with his teammates.

How did Mainoo find out? "You gotta speak up a little. Let them know to pass!" Kelly chuckles. "After a couple months, he figured it out."

"He used to play on the wing or as a forward in our team, sometimes just behind the main striker. Back then, he wasn't really known for his defensive skills like he is now. He wasn't one to make tackles. He has definitely matured a lot since then."

Kelly has been proud to witness Mainoo's rise to success.

"I knew it wouldn't bother him," he explains. "I could tell from the moment he joined our team. Some children are very quiet until they become familiar with others, but he was unfazed by anything. If I substituted him, he would give me a displeased expression, but we had to ensure that everyone got a chance to play."

Kelly is a fan of the City football team. Mainoo could have been part of the City team under Pep Guardiola if he had been convinced by their offers.

Paul Newton has also worked with Mainoo at Cheadle & Gatley and further developed their bond through training sessions at a place called Shots in Handforth from when Mainoo was six to 14 years old. Mainoo was a part of the Shots team while also playing for Failsworth before receiving personalized coaching from Newton once he joined United’s academy at the age of seven.

Newton had graduated from City's youth program in the 1980s, practicing with David White, Paul Lake, Andy Hinchcliffe, and Ian Brightwell. When he met the Mainoos, he was already coaching City's young teams and doing some scouting work.

"Newton shared that both United and City were pursuing him since he was six years old. He showed exceptional talent at a young age. Even though I worked at City, I was close friends with Felix and he always had his heart set on United. I told him, 'Ultimately, the decision is yours and Kobbie's.'"

Mainoo made his first appearance in the Premier League when he played against Leicester in February 2023.

At that time, Mainoo was experiencing both the United and City academy systems. He began his affiliation with United at the age of six by participating in training sessions organized by the Manchester United Foundation in Moss Side. Dermot Clarke, a scout for the club, noticed Mainoo's skills and, after a few sessions, asked him to train with United's academy at The Cliff, which was the previous first-team facility.

During this period, Mainoo attended training sessions at City's academy facility located on Platt Lane in Fallowfield, which was previously utilized by the first-team players as well.

One year later, when Mainoo was playing soccer at the under-eight level, he had to make a choice. Mainoo decided to join United because he liked the relaxed approach of the coaches. They gave the players the freedom to play without strict rules, allowing the boys to practice and learn from their mistakes.

Newton explained that when he was younger, he used to play with three or four people who later went on to play for England. He noticed that when Kobbie was around six or seven years old, he had all the qualities that reminded him of those players.

As Mainoo aged, he participated in sporadic competitions for Shots. The midfielder consistently caught the eye of Newton. "Every time we traveled somewhere - I'm not kidding - if I went right, there were eight scouts approaching me. If I went left, another eight would come. I was unsure which direction to choose."

Back in 2017, Mainoo made the decisive goal in the North West Junior Champions League final. Newton reflected on the victory, expressing, "I had been striving for this for a decade. It's a prestigious tournament in the north-west, attracting top teams from all over the region. Kobbie, who was a year younger, scored the winning goal and sealed the victory for us."

"It was a positive experience because these young boys start attending academies at such a young age. They miss out on their childhood. Kobbie was able to enjoy playing with his friends. I've seen so many kids who attend academies and by the time they reach 13 or 14, they are tired of it because they are practicing five days a week and don't get to see their friends."

In the blog post, it was mentioned that Newton was coaching a group of young boys with well-known last names at Shots. Some of these boys included Kai Rooney, Jacey Carrick, Ben Aguero, Roman Walker, and Tyler and Jack Fletcher. Newton worked closely with Mainoo on improving his shooting, tackling, and speed during personal training sessions until he started to stand out more at United's academy.

Mainoo had a natural gift that couldn't be learned or taught.

Newton explains that there was something special about this young man who frequented his holiday club. He would participate in games against older and more skilled players, enjoying the competitive environment.

He would toss the ball into the air, perform an overhead kick to volley it into the goal, and miraculously land on his feet again. He was around nine years old.

As soon as he entered the room, all the little boys, who were six and seven years old, would excitedly call out, "Kobbie's arrived! Kobbie, can you do it?". He would then proceed to go onto the field and perform the stunt about three or four times. Each time, he would kick the ball into the goal with precision and grace, before landing gracefully on his feet. It was truly an unforgettable sight. This just goes to show that he is truly a talented gymnast.

Newton was excited to see Mainoo play for the first time in the Manchester derby at the Etihad in March. Despite being on opposite teams, Newton admired Mainoo's skill and looked forward to watching him compete against some of the world's top players on City's talented team. The final score was 3-1 in favor of City, but Newton was simply happy to witness Mainoo's performance on the field.

At Mainoo's original club, Cheadle & Gatley have been getting bigger. There are now 750 players on their teams, up from 300 when Mainoo was there. They have teams for people with disabilities and for girls too. Holly Deering, who started on one of those teams, now plays for United's women's team at 18. Hallam Hope, a striker for Oldham Athletic, and George Evans, a defender for Wrexham, are also among the graduates. Vare's son Frank is starting his first year scholarship at Blackburn Rovers.

Richard Hubbard, the treasurer for Cheadle & Gatley, mentions that Mainoo's support is making a difference. He refers to it as the "Kobbie effect" which is our club sponsor. Although he doesn't want to reveal the exact amounts, he states that the contributions are important for the club. It seems like everyone is eager to participate and support the club.

In February, Hubbard, a dedicated Aston Villa supporter, was sitting in the North Stand at Villa Park when Mainoo's skillful play set up Diogo Dalot for a perfect cross that led to Scott McTominay scoring a crucial late goal for United. "I couldn't be upset because I had just witnessed someone connected to the club contribute to the goal," he says with a smile.

Hubbard, Vare, and left are very pleased with Mainoo (Laurie Whitwell/The Athletic)

By that time, Mainoo had already made unforgettable memories by dodging past the Wolverhampton Wanderers' defense and scoring a winning goal in stoppage time at Molineux.

Mainoo, who usually plays as a defensive midfielder under head coach Erik ten Hag, scored a surprising goal that impressed the entire football community. While playing for Wolves, he confidently dribbled the ball and scored like he had been practicing for years. This is because he has indeed been doing that for most of his life.

Kobbie Mainoo looking cool in action ????. Tweet showing Kobbie Mainoo in full swing.

The Premier League's blog updated on February 4, 2024.

Mainoo consistently played in more advanced positions as he progressed through the academy. Just last season, he was also seen playing as a winger and even as a striker for the youth teams.

At the age of 12, he scored three excellent goals against Crewe Alexandra at Carrington. The academy director, Nick Cox, mentioned that this was a common thing for him. According to Cox, games for young players between the ages of nine and 12 are very competitive and high-scoring. The kids are full of energy and creativity. They are encouraged to try new things and show off their skills because that's what youth soccer should be all about.

Cox explains that they gave Mainoo the chance to play in different positions because they were unsure how he would grow physically or what skills would be most important for him as an adult. Despite this, Mainoo has always shown a talent for being creative and attacking while on the field.

He was positioned on the wings because he didn't have the physical strength needed to play elsewhere. We made sure to keep him safe on the field. It wasn't until he joined the youth team that he began playing closer to the center and further back. However, he has always been skilled in attacking positions, focusing on creating goals and scoring them.

We were aware of his physical abilities, even though he wasn't the largest or strongest player. He had to rely on his skills, awareness, and decision-making. It was clear that his athleticism would become his greatest strength, and we are now seeing that come to fruition.

Sometimes Mainoo may seem slow on the field, but people who are familiar with his physical fitness say that appearances can be misleading. They claim that he is actually fast and strong, and he is very skilled at dribbling the ball. When he extends his legs, he can move quickly across long distances.

In the beginning of the game against Everton, during his first time starting in the Premier League, he planted his foot and quickly turned past Abdoulaye Doucoure after getting the ball from Andre Onana. He managed to shake off Doucoure's rough tackle and make a pass to Alejandro Garnacho, although it was a bit too strong. Those who know Mainoo well noticed that move, as he had used it successfully in his previous youth games, and they praised his bravery for attempting it during his first match in the league.

Mainoo is thrilled about his game-winning goal against Wolves.

Ten Hag mentioned last season that he wants to see more aggression from Mainoo. The United manager noticed Mainoo's development since first watching him in the fall of 2022. "I felt he was too relaxed when playing for the under-21s. He needs to be more assertive," Ten Hag explained. "We have been pushing him to improve and he is getting better with each game. It's great to witness his progress and I hope he can maintain his composure. He is focused and determined."

Ten Hag knows that the media often focuses on young players and he is cautious about the possibility of exaggerated praise, so he tries to control expectations when speaking publicly.

Sources from the club, who wish to remain anonymous to maintain relationships, reveal that Ten Hag believed Mainoo's style of play was not dynamic or aggressive enough when he first observed him. Although Mainoo was skilled, Ten Hag thought he could have a greater influence on games by being more assertive, taking more risks on the field, and showing more intensity. However, the manager quickly noticed that Mainoo was receptive to feedback, remained calm when given instructions, and put in a lot of effort during training.

That's why Ten Hag decided to give Mainoo his first chance to play with the senior team in January 2023 against Charlton Athletic in the Carabao Cup when he was just 17 years old. He was then chosen to join the club's pre-season tour in the United States. Mainoo showed his skills in the friendly match against Arsenal in New Jersey, so Ten Hag planned to play him alongside Casemiro in the upcoming games. Unfortunately, Mainoo's debut was cut short after only six minutes against Real Madrid in Houston when he suffered an ankle injury that kept him on the sidelines until late October.

Mainoo's absence changed United's plans for signing new players. They were planning to bring in Mason Mount and promote Mainoo to strengthen Ten Hag's midfield options. Casemiro and Harry Maguire spoke highly of Mainoo's skills to the coaching staff. However, with Mainoo out for three months, United had to make a last-minute move on deadline day and signed Sofyan Amrabat on loan for £8.5 million ($10.7 million).

Mainoo has attracted interest from other teams, including United's rivals in the city. City watched Mainoo closely, but United believed he would remain with them. German clubs also looked at Mainoo, but regulations following Brexit made a move to the Bundesliga like other players difficult. United made it clear to Mainoo that he had a path to the first team, so the possibility of him leaving diminished.

Introducing Mainoo to the UEFA Youth League, a tournament for players under 19 years old, when he was only 16 and in his first year of scholarship was a strategic decision. In September 2021, he went to Switzerland for a match against Young Boys where he was on the bench but didn't play. However, he got his first playing time against Atalanta and continued to be more involved in matches against Villarreal and the last three group games.

Neil Wood, who is in charge of the team for players under 19 years old, explained that they were aware that the games would be tough for him. This is because he was competing against opponents who were potentially a year and a half older than him. In addition, he was facing strong players in European tournaments.

It wasn't always like, "He's going to be amazing right away". He had to work his way into those games. We were aware of his great talent, but there were moments when he struggled when he came on. He wouldn't be the standout player on the field, but we didn't expect that from him at that stage of his development.

Mainoo showcased his skills in a match against Villarreal in the UEFA Youth League in November 2021. (Image credit: Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

Together, the United team worked to push Mainoo to grow without overwhelming him. Wood explained that they didn't want to push him too hard too soon, like throwing him in a game with older, more experienced players. They had a strategy to give Mainoo the right challenges at the right times.

Over time, Mainoo demonstrated growth and improvement. Wood, who also came up through United's academy and trained with the first team under Sir Alex Ferguson's management, commented on Mainoo's skills: "Kobbie was always praised for his excellent technical abilities. He was very skillful with the ball, which is what people meant in the past when they said, 'That's a Man United player'."

Just watching how he handles the ball, his reception, the passes he makes, and his vision. These were the moments with Kobbie that made you think, 'He has the potential to be something really special here if everything goes smoothly'.

During the 2021-22 season, Mainoo stood out for Travis Binnion’s under-18s team in the FA Youth Cup. Garnacho caught the attention with impressive plays in the offensive side, but Mainoo subtly made his presence felt in the midfield.

Mainoo's family, which included her brother Jordan, who appeared on the fifth season of the reality dating show Love Island, were in the audience for the final match. A historic number of fans attended the FA Youth Cup final, where United triumphed over Forest with a score of 3-1.

Cox explains that in order to get Kobbie ready, they wanted to expose him to situations that closely resembled those he would encounter with the first team. This is important in developing resilience, as it involves placing individuals in challenging environments where they may feel out of their comfort zone.

The FA Youth Cup was very important in helping Kobbie and the other players develop. Our fans showed up in large numbers to support them, creating an atmosphere that would challenge and pressure them. It was more than just a fun outing for our fans, it was a valuable contribution to the players' growth.

The last step was incorporating Mainoo into training sessions with Ten Hag. "We started with small amounts," Cox explains. "During his first year as a scholar, he would go over there every now and then. By his second year, he was going there regularly. By Christmas last year, he was fully part of that group, only returning to the academy to play matches. For the past 18 months, we've had a feeling that this was going to happen."

Mainoo, shown second from the left, is seen celebrating their victory in the FA Youth Cup last season in the photograph taken by Ash Donelon from Manchester United via Getty Images.

Certain players may need to be loaned out, but Mainoo has never been considered for that option. Mainoo has successfully filled a position in Ten Hag's team that was needed. Ten Hag has always wanted a player who is skilled at taking the ball from defenders and handling opponents' press. Observers of Mainoo's development believe that he has the potential to play as a box-to-box midfielder or even as a No 10.

There have been a couple of small mistakes - like the error against West Ham United that led to Mohammed Kudus scoring and hesitation with the ball against Fulham, allowing Sasa Lukic to assist Alex Iwobi. However, sources close to United say that Mainoo is very diligent in studying his errors and making sure not to make the same ones again.

Casemiro trusts his younger midfield partner, who is more than a decade younger than him. "Playing alongside him, I am confident that Manchester United will have one of the top midfielders in the Premier League for many years to come," stated the experienced Brazilian player. "As long as he continues to stay focused and maintain his current form."

Gareth Southgate selected Mainoo to join England's senior squad for the March international games. Randy Abbey from the Ghana FA had mentioned that Ghana was trying to convince the midfielder to play for them, but Mainoo, who has played for England in different youth teams up to under-19 level, is determined to play for his home country. Mainoo's opportunity to showcase his skills in a big tournament has arrived earlier than anticipated, but his previous performances indicate that he is capable of dealing with the pressure.

The situation with Mainoo's contract is peaceful. Former football director John Murtough saw the importance of extending Mainoo's contract in February and they reached an agreement through 2027 with a possible one-year extension. The deal also included salary increases based on performance. Everyone involved is not rushing to discuss any new contract negotiations.

The outcome of the situation will be determined by Mainoo's performances in his first big international tournament. Being from Manchester, he will have support from both sides of the city as well as from the entire country.

First images: Joe Prior from Visionhaus via Getty Images. Second images: Provided by Cheadle Catholic Infant School.