Loving Casemiro and rejecting Man City - the inside story of Kobbie Mainoo's journey at Manchester United

When Manchester United and Real Madrid played each other in pre-season last summer, a fan posted photos of Jude Bellingham and Kobbie Mainoo on social media.

The caption read: "Bellingham and England's best midfielder."

The post was intended as a joke, but there's an outside chance that Mainoo could start alongside the Real Madrid star at this summer's European Championship in Germany.

Bellingham and Declan Rice are guaranteed to start and Mainoo would perfectly complement that pair as the No.8, but it would be a remarkable achievement for him to be included in the England squad, never mind to be given a prominent role in the team by Gareth Southgate.

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Mainoo has been exceptional for United this season and his performances haven't come as a surprise to those who know him best - they were confident he would succeed.

The MEN exclusively revealed in July that Mainoo was set to be kept around the first team and that preceded him becoming the breakout star of the pre-season tour.

Mainoo was brilliant in friendlies against Lyon, Leeds and Arsenal, and his breakthrough into the team was only delayed by the ankle injury he sustained against Real Madrid.

The club carefully handled his return in October and he made a handful of appearances for the Under-21s to get back up to speed, with the words 'eased back into action' used.

Mainoo's performance against Salford was impressive and the MEN's match report read: "The midfielder has outgrown academy football and his talent is needed in the first team."

Erik ten Hag played Mainoo in successive away games against Everton, Newcastle and Galatasaray and he