Manchester United star Kobbie Mainoo ready to make his mark on Euro 2024 final | OneFootball

England and Spain are preparing to take the field to duel it out in a matter of hours to see who will wear the crown as champions of Europe in the Euro 2024 final in Berlin.

The whole footballing world has fallen in love with the electricity and boldness of Spain’s Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal but there is another young star who is perhaps not getting the plaudits he deserves outside of the British Isles.

Manchester United and Premier League fans know all about the exceptional talent of England’s Kobbie Mainoo, who will start in the Three Lions’ midfield alongside Declan Rice, less than four months after making his England debut against Brazil in March.

It was a rapid rise, but when you pay attention to his United career, there should be no surprise in this as the incredible teenager has faced every challenge in his way and overcome it in style.

The Stockport-born star left pundits raving after making his first Premier League start for the Red Devils away to Everton in only late November and shocked the league with his wonderful solo goal late into additional time against Wolverhampton Wanderers that gave United a 4-3 victory on a rollercoaster February night in the Black Country.

What really stands out with the young midfielder though, is his mental strength. There are many talented and skilful players but few who can combine it with incredible work ethic and a balanced approach to their growth as a player.

Former United legend Rio Ferdinand has lavished praise on his mentality and the strong family base around him that keeps him grounded and humble.

In a recent piece for The BBC, the former United defender highlighted the starlet’s ability to “choose the right moment” and not force the issue as being one of his greatest qualities. This all comes down to maturity and mental fortitude.

The Telegraph caught up with some of Mainoo’s old coaches and they tell a familiar story.

His former coach at Cheadle & Gatley, Steve Vale, claims that in 40 years as a player and a coach, “without a shadow of a doubt, Kobbie’s the best I’ve seen.”

Another of his mentors in his youth, Ian Kelly, at Failsworth Dynamos claimed, “he’s got no fear. He just plays like he’s playing for us still. A lot of kids get over-excited about finals and things like that but Kobbie just takes it all in his stride.”

Naturally, the academy director at United, Nick Cox, has been incredibly complimentary of the 19 year old on numerous occasions and commenting on his performances at the tournament so far he claimed, “when he plays for England he looks as if he’s still that little kid, back at the Cliff, playing with his mates. A smile on his face, not a care in the world, demanding the ball, expressing himself. That’s the Kobbie I picture.”

The Telegraph claim that a young Mainoo would spend hours discussing with his father how to improve and would then bring the list of objectives to his personal coach to work on.

There is always the risk with young players that they will fall victim of their own hype and fizzle out but United’s starlet seems well-prepared to deal with this threat. Speaking after England’s semi-final victory over the Netherlands you could have excused the 19 year old for focusing on his own success but his response characterised his incredible maturity that extends well beyond his age.

When asked about his thoughts on England reaching the final he boldly stated, “we’re not here to get to the final and call it quits. We’re here to win and to sketch our names into history.”

Wayne Rooney has already predicted that Mainoo will have a big say in the final by claiming he “just has a feeling” the United man will score and be decisive, just like he was in the FA Cup final for his club a matter of weeks ago.

Knowing what we know about the starlet, who would count against him doing just that?

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