English footballer born in 2005, central midfielder for Manchester United and England. Became youngest England player to score in a Euros final.
Kobbie Boateng Mainoo was born on 19 April 2005 in Stockport, Greater Manchester, England, and joined Manchester United's academy at nine years old, progressing through the club's youth system before winning the FA Youth Cup. He made his first-team debut in an EFL Cup match in January 2023 as a 17-year-old, quickly marked out as one of the most promising young midfielders to emerge from United's academy in years. Mainoo's breakthrough season came in 2023-24, when he established himself as a first-team regular, scoring memorable goals against Wolves and Liverpool before delivering the standout moment of his young career: scoring in the FA Cup final at Wembley to help Manchester United beat rivals Manchester City. Mainoo earned a surprise call-up to England's senior squad in March 2024, making his debut against Belgium, and was subsequently included in the squad for that summer's European Championship in Germany, helping England reach the final. His composure on the ball and ability to drive forward from deep positions marked him as one of the most exciting young English midfielders of his generation. Mainoo continued to develop as a first-team regular for Manchester United, and was included in England's squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, representing one of the brightest young talents to emerge from the club's academy system in recent years.
Becoming England's youngest Euros final scorer at 19
How They Played
Box-to-box midfielder with excellent dribbling and passing ability
Lasting Impact
Regarded as a symbol of Manchester United's academy success and a generational talent reshaping perceptions of young English midfielders; drew comparisons to Clarence Seedorf from Rio Ferdinand
Career Honours
- FA Cup (2024)
- Euro runner-up (England 2024)
- FA Cup (2023-24)
- EFL Cup (2022-23)
- FA Youth Cup (2021-22)
- Euro 2024 Runner-Up (England)
| Club | Period | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester United | 2022–Present | 78 | 4 |
 England | — | 12 | 2 |