da betsson： The midfielder made his United debut aged 17 and will be one of the players to watch during the Red Devils' pre-season campaign

da doce： The FA Youth Cup has been the launching pad for many successful Manchester United careers, and everyone who followed the team's run to the 2022 trophy talked about two players in particular. It was difficult to ignore Alejandro Garnacho, who finished as United's top scorer, firing the Under-18s to glory with two goals in the final against Nottingham Forest. But behind him was the more unassuming yet equally influential Kobbie Mainoo, who orchestrated United's play from deep and held everything together.

Garnacho galvanised big crowds at Old Trafford with his talismanic displays in the Youth Cup and has catapulted himself into the hearts of the wider United support with a stunning breakthrough season in 2022-23. The Argentine is a star in the making and loves the limelight.

Mainoo is a very different character, but albeit at a steadier pace, he is following in Garnacho's footsteps into Erik ten Hag's side. After getting his first taste of first-team football last season with a smattering of appearances, the 18-year-old will be one of the players to watch in United's pre-season campaign, which begins on Wednesday against Leeds in Norway and will take the team across the United States.

Getty'He's a cracker'

Mentioning Mainoo's name to anyone around United generally provokes a huge grin. There is tangible excitement about the 18-year-old's progress and what he could achieve with the club. "He’s a cracker, he really is," a club source tells GOAL. "Balance, movement, doesn't panic under pressure. Out of the lot who won the Youth Cup, him and Alejandro were always going to be the ones [to make it].

"He'll definitely be around the first-team squad next season or he'll be playing first-team football somewhere on loan. And he'll knock it out the park. He’s such a big lad. He's got balance, movement, he doesn't panic under pressure. He’s superb."

It might sound strange for Mainoo to be described as big. He stands at just 5'9 (175cm), making him the same height as Lisandro Martinez. But he compensates with remarkable physical strength honed in the gym after being encouraged to bulk up by coaches.

AdvertisementThriving in older age groups

Mainoo was born in Stockport to Ghanaian parents. He often returns to Ghana to visit family, but he is an England Under-19 international and wants to represent the Three Lions at senior level.

He was discovered by United while playing for Cheadle and Gatley Junior Club, and became part of the club's academy aged nine, though he continued to represent his local club until he was 12. United encourage their youngsters to keep up their normal football activities as they want to promote a healthy childhood. The club believes United can be a great addition to a player's childhood, but should not define it.

Mainoo was encouraged to train with older age groups to test himself and get more experience, and he was one of the youngest players in the Youth Cup team, beginning the campaign when he was 16. He still started all six games in the cup run and was one of the most important players forU18s coach Travis Binnion.

GettyTesting himself all across midfield

Mainoo played as a No.6 under Binnion, but last season for the U21s he was tasked with playing all over midfield, as a No.8 and as a No.10. He has even played on the wing. The idea was to give him as much experience and confidence in different roles, as that will make him more equipped to come off the bench for Ten Hag's side.

"His talent is so high they'll push him around, try him in different positions play him on wings to give him that technical challenge," explains another club source. "In the first-team central midfield is such a competitive position, if you’re going to come off the bench often it might be on the wing for 10 minutes, so if he’s used to doing it in the U21s then it’s easier to do it at Old Trafford as and when he needs to.

"He would define himself as a No.6 but he may end up being a No.8 or a No.10. It's not fully defined what his best position is, but if you asked him he’d say No.6 or No.8."

GettyEnhancing his reputation in Spain

While Garnacho joined United's first team on their pre-season tour of Australia last year, Mainoo stayed in Manchester. But he remained in Ten Hag's thoughts, and was named on the substitutes' bench for the Premier League game against Newcastle in October.

He didn't get on the pitch, but the fact he was called into the squad for such an important game was an indication of how highly Ten Hag thought of him. Mainoo then joined the first team on their training camp in southern Spain in December during the World Cup, along with a number of his FA Youth Cup-winning team-mates.

The trip might not have seemed like a success on some levels. It was supposed to be a warm weather training camp but it rained throughout, while United lost both their friendly matches, against Cadiz and Real Betis. But for Mainoo it was a big success, and he scored in the 4-2 defeat against Cadiz, returning to Manchester with his reputation enhanced.