IT turns out Kobbie Mainoo is as cool and calm off the pitch as he is on it.
In just six months Mainoo has gone from relative unknown to Manchester United regular and a member of Gareth Southgate’s England squad for Euro 2024.
Sidelined at the start of the season with an injury, which kept him out for four months, Mainoo only played his first game of the season in late November, but has enjoyed a remarkable rise.
“Back then I wasn’t even thinking about England,” said Mainoo, speaking at United’s training complex ahead of today’s FA Cup final.
“I was just thinking about getting fit and getting back in the squad, not even the starting lineup. So to be here now, I wouldn’t have dreamed it.”
But the 19-year-old is not fazed by his new high-profile status, even though it means he can no longer pop to the local shop without requests for selfies and autographs.
“A lot more people know my name now,” said Mainoo, who was born in Stockport, like Manchester City rival and England team-mate Phil Foden.
“But at home with the family I have around me, they very much keep me grounded and nothing changes at home.
Esta historia es de la edición May 25, 2024 de Daily Star.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición May 25, 2024 de Daily Star.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
PHEW LITTLE BEAUTIES
Bellingham steers Three Lions through tricky test
IT'S SAKSY FOOTBALL
Bukayo provides the bullets as Gunner shows his star quality
Better 8 than never
NOW JOS MEANS BUSINESS
BIKER GROOVE
Top man Jack's riding high
BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS
CBS: Pancakes then Vegas
'CALF-RAM' COP TAKEN OFF DUTY
A COP accused of ramming a runaway calf with his car has been taken off frontline duties.
FANGTASTIC!
Breakthrough fix for black widows' bites
VERMINATOR
Robot rats set to offer an insight into brain function
GIO: ABUSE CLAIMS ARE SIMPLY FALSE
Pernice says BBC's probe will clear him
A cow ate my Rolex
WATCH LOST FOR 50YRS FOUND BY DETECTORIST