Kobbie Mainoo is the nutmeg king brimming with desire Man Utd need

Kobbie Mainoo is just 16 years old, and yet he has become one of the most important players in Manchester United’s high-flying Under-18 side.

He has steamrolled through the youth ranks in the past year, becoming one of the youngest players in the Under-18s, playing in the UEFA Youth League, and even making a handful of appearances in the Premier League 2, where most players are almost 20.

But while he may be playing with people a few years older than him, he should be seen as an example to those who are even more years his senior; so impressive is his technicality and his determination, that Manchester United’s first-team players should look at his attitude for guidance.

Mainoo can produce despicably outrageous nutmegs, shrug off anyone he wishes to win back the ball, and produce perfectly placed crosses. In short, he is full of the audacious desire Manchester United need.

Mainoo was born in Stockport in 2005. Previously a striker, his game changed as he has entered the more senior part of the youth set-up when he began playing with the Under-18s at just 15.

He moved into midfield. Whereabouts in midfield, you say? Well everywhere of course.

Alongside former Burnley youth player Dan Gore, Mainoo has formed a versatile and dominant midfield two that has helped power United to a first FA Youth Cup final in over a decade this season.

United won that 2011 edition of the tournament, with Paul Pogba part of the team who lifted the trophy at Old Trafford.

So, as you might imagine with Mainoo being a technically superior midfielder who also has a real physical presence and a jack-of-all-trades aspect to his game, he’s already been compared to the French World Cup winner.

Stuff like his outrageous nutmeg in an Under-18s Premier