Kobbie Mainoo’s impassioned expression when Ollie Watkins netted England’s winner over the Netherlands on Wednesday was as joyful as the goalscorers’ himself.
The Manchester United midfielder put in a performance of someone ten years his senior, having gone from a club debutant to a European Championship finalist in the space of just 18 months.
“It is an indescribable feeling, we are all buzzing!” Mainoo told BBC Radio 5 Live at full-time, admitting his rise in senior football has “happened quick and now we are in a European Championship final.”
Mainoo only turned 19 in April and has just eight caps under his belt, most of them coming at his maiden international tournament. His form will not surprise many United fans who have seen him grow immensely since making his bow against Charlton Athletic in the League Cup back in January 2023.
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He was selected to start that debut and lasted an hour, coming off after an exciting performance. Despite a major injury setback at the beginning of the season, the teenager has gone from strength to strength and is now one of the first names on Erik ten Hag’s team sheet.
Mainoo is one of just four players safeguarded from a sale this summer with Andre Onana, Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho exempt from transfer approaches, all four seen as integral to the club’s long-term rebuild.
In order to evolve, United are looking at bringing in a defender, a midfielder and a striker this summer. Anthony Martial left upon the end of his contract last month meaning Hojlund is the only natural centre-forward among current ranks.
United seem to be closing in on a deal for Joshua Zirkzee, who has a £33m release clause but could cost as much as £46m when agents’ fees are factored in. The Dutchman was called up late by his country for Euro 2024 amid a spate of injuries within the Netherlands camp.
He had to cut short his holiday at DisneyWorld to make the flight over to Germany, where has made two substitute appearances. He came on as a last throw of the dice for Ronald Koeman after Watkins had fired home, but he hardly had enough time to make a touch.
The emotions of both Zirkzee and Mainoo at full-time could not have been more contrasting, but Mainoo made sure to console his potential new teammate after the final whistle as a mark of respect. He shared a smile with the striker before celebrating with his England teammates.
Mainoo has shown to be a class character on and off the pitch for both club and country, and now he is focused on becoming immortalised in English football history.
After the game in Dortmund, he added: “It has been such a journey and we have built on old performances, the only way is up – time to put us in history.”
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