Home » Kobbie Mainoo: Manchester United teenage sensation almost joined Manchester City

Kobbie Mainoo: Manchester United teenage sensation almost joined Manchester City

by Derick Kinoti


Manchester United youngster Kobbie Mainoo almost joined the blue side of Manchester before joining the Red Devils’ academy.

The Englishman was a crucial player in the United team that won the FA Youth Cup last year.

Months later, Mainoo was handed a first-team debut by Erik ten Hag who said that the player deserved his opportunity.

Mainoo is highly rated by United staff who believe that he is among the best in his age group within the academy. According to The Manchester Evening News, United are also impressed by Mainoo’s desire to improve, as well as his application.

MEN reports, “Mainoo is not just an exceptional prospect but he’s a likeable young man. Club sources have indicated he’s a very calm character, who takes everything in his stride and it’s been suggested staff would be surprised if he got ahead of himself.

“He’s been moulded by his parents and he’s keeping his feet on the ground after making his first-team debut.”

MEN relays that before joining United’s academy at the age of nine, Mainoo and his family searched Manchester for a team that could challenge the player and facilitate his development.

This search came off the back of a recommendation by Steve Vare who coached the United man during his time at Cheadle and Gatley.

Vare spoke to MEN and revealed that Cheadle and Gatley soon proved to be too easy for Mainoo who was constantly the best player even amongst players older than him.

Mainoo then joined Failsworth Dynamos where he played above his age level throughout his time there.

Ian Kelly, who coached the 17-year-old at Failsworth Dynamos, revealed to MEN, “He went to United’s academy school at Under-8 level, obviously not signed on yet, while playing for Failsworth and you’d have to get him to pass again after playing there. His passing developed in the end and he was strong, small and stocky.”

Failsworth Dynamos played three games against Manchester City. They drew two and lost one. A City coach remarked that they had been given a game, unlike anything they had experienced in the past.

By this time Mainoo was on scouts’ radars and had a choice to make between Manchester United and City. For some time he went to both academies but eventually, he made the right decision and chose the Red Devils.

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