Kobbie Mainoo

Early career

Mainoo started his youth career at Cheadle & Gatley Junior Football Club. He then joined Failsworth Dynamos, where he played as a forward. He was scouted for Manchester United at the age of six, signed up at the age of seven, and joined the academy at the age of nine. Mainoo studied at Ashton-on-Mersey School.

Manchester United F.C.

2022–2023

Mainoo signed his first professional contract with Manchester United in May 2022. His performances earned him a call-up to the first-team squad for training in October. Mainoo was named on the bench for the first time on 16 October 2022, for a Premier League match against Newcastle United, followed by making his senior debut on 10 January 2023, starting in a 3–0 home win over Charlton Athletic in the quarter-final of the EFL Cup. He continued to be part of the squad in both the semi-final legs and secured his first senior trophy, as United went along to win the final against Newcastle United. He made his league debut on 19 February by coming on as a substitute in a 3–0 home win against Leicester City in the Premier League.

2023–2024

Mainoo travelled with the Manchester United squad on their 2023–24 pre-season tour in the United States. However, he picked up an injury which kept him out for the start of the upcoming season. Returning from injury, Mainoo made his first league start for Manchester United on 26 November 2023, in a 3–0 Premier League victory away to Everton, in which he…

Mainoo has represented England at under-17, under-18, and under-19 youth levels, and at the senior level. In March 2024, Mainoo was called up to the senior squad for the first time for England's friendlies against Brazil and Belgium, after previously being drafted for the under-21s. Aged 18, he made his debut on 23 March as a substitute for Conor Gallagher in a 1–0 defeat to Brazil at Wembley Stadium. He made his first England start in a 2–2 draw against Belgium, in which he was named man of the match. On 6 June, Mainoo was named in England's 26-man squad for UEFA Euro 2024. He made his competitive debut in the team's opening match, playing the last four minutes as a substitute for Jude Bellingham in a 1–0 win over Serbia. On 25 June, he played the second half against Slovenia in a 0–0 draw in the team's final group stage match, replacing Conor Gallagher at half time. In the round of 16 match against Slovakia, he became the third-youngest player to start for England at a knockout stage of a major tournament in a 2–1 win. On 10 July, in a 2–1 win in the semi-finals against Netherlands, he became the youngest England player to play a semi-final of a major tournament. Four days later, he started in the final, which ended in a 2–1 defeat to Spain. On 21 May 2026, Mainoo was named in England's 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. However, he was the only outfield player in the squad who got zero minutes on the pitch during the tournament.

Mainoo is primarily a central midfielder who is also capable of playing as a defensive midfielder and attacking midfielder. An intelligent and composed player, he excels in driving the ball forward, using his dribbling skills to navigate through tight spaces and evade defenders. Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has compared his style of play to that of Clarence Seedorf. Then-United manager Erik ten Hag praised his ability to "quickly adapt to high levels", as well as his willingness to progress and develop as a player. Pundit and former United midfielder Paul Scholes praised him, saying that "[I] just love the way he receives the ball, the calmness, the awareness of what's around him, and of course big goals in big games."

Kobbie Boateng Mainoo was born on 19 April 2005 in Stockport, Greater Manchester in England, to parents from Ghana. His older brother (Jordan Mainoo-Hames) appeared as a contestant on the fifth series of Love Island. He was raised in Cheadle Hulme, a suburb of Stockport.