England Men's Football Team

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United's head of academy Nick Cox has admitted Kobbie Mainoo's progress this season has caught everyone at Old Trafford by surprise.

It was 26 November when he started a Premier League game for the first time after recovering from an ankle injury, and the 19-year-old did not make his England debut until March.

But for Cox, the rapid progress should not obscure the hard work that has taken Mainoo to the brink of becoming the youngest player to win a major tournament for the Three Lions.

"He's moved much faster than we thought," said Cox.

"This season he's made a Premier League debut, scored a first Premier League goal, first England call-up, England debut, first England competitive game, first England tournament match, man of the match appearances, Champions League appearances.

"It hasn't been an easy journey, though. They never are. Everyone who watches him play on Sunday might think it must have been plain sailing, but there have been injuries, dips in form, times when he's had to spend time away from his family, or change schools.

"He had to move away from his mates, which is a brave thing to do. When he was 14 or 15, he was not sure what his best position was.

"Sometimes there's this false perception superstars get there easily. They don't."

Even though immortality awaits if England are successful against Spain, Cox accepts that Mainoo still has some progression ahead of him.

"He's not played 50 games for the first team yet," he added.

"It won't always be smooth though and he'll have times ahead of him where it's difficult or he doesn't move at the pace he is now.

"It's important people remain balanced and know he's got loads to go."

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo's mindset could turn out to be one of his major assets on the path to stardom, according to Manchester United's head of academy.

Nick Cox has seen Mainoo's progression from schoolboy ranks to the brink of becoming the Three Lions' youngest major tournament winner.

And he marvels at how unaffected the 19-year-old is by the attention being heaped on him.

"Kobbie has many qualities but I would suggest his character is one of his super-strengths," said Cox.

"In my time working with footballers, character is the non-negotiable ingredient that ties together all the top players.

"Nothing tends to faze him too much. But alongside being laid back and low maintenance, and definitely humble and really grounded, he also has a real self-belief. It is not an arrogance but a real determination to be the best.

"That is not to say he doesn't feel nerves or these occasions don't impact upon him, but he has the ability to cope with big moments that come his way.

"This season alone he has ticked off landmarks that usually take young players five or six seasons."