Anyone keeping no more than a cursory eye on Manchester United’s tumultuous 2023-24 season could be forgiven for misunderstanding the hype surrounding the club’s latest academy-bred sensation, Kobbie Mainoo. The midfielder’s work is controlled, clean and precise. His demeanour is restrained and mature for an 18-year-old starring for his boyhood club. His calibre is clear if you look for it. But to those not watching carefully, Mainoo’s talents might not jump off the screen and command immediate attention in the way that other promising wunderkinds, past and present, have.
At least, that was the case until the 97th minute of United’s Premier League fixture away at Wolverhampton Wanderers in February. With a fleetfooted skip past two defenders and a beautifully curled finish from the edge of the box to seal a dramatic 4-3 victory for his side, Mainoo grabbed even the most casual viewer by the frontal lobe and etched a vivid portrait of his vast potential onto their
