Mainoo crowned Young Player of the Year

Thursday 25 May 2023 20:55

Kobbie Mainoo has been crowned as the new winner of the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year, after a breakthrough 2022/23 season.

The midfielder earned his senior first-team debut in January, when Erik ten Hag selected him to start our 3-0 Carabao Cup quarter-final win against Charlton Athletic.
 
Mainoo has made two further first-XI appearances since, in the Emirates FA Cup against Reading, and then in the Premier League, during our 3-0 win over Leicester City.
 
He has also been a solid performer for our Under-21 team in Premier League 2, scoring two goals and providing two assists for a young side.

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Daniel has been awarded the Denzil Haroun Reserve-Team trophy for his efforts across the 2022/23 campaign.

Reflecting on his progress at the club, after that aforementioned debut against Charlton, Mainoo told us: “It’s an unbelievable feeling. I have been at this club all my life and it’s all been building to tonight. And to have my family here watching me, surrounding me, it is just amazing.
 
“I’ve been in training with the lads quite a few times. They all made me feel welcome and all gave me words of advice and encouragement. So I felt at home.
 
“To stay around it and to keep on getting more games is the ultimate goal. I want to stay at this club; I’ve been here my whole life.”

Kobbie was a key part of the squad that won the FA Youth Cup in 2021/22, beating Nottingham Forest in front of a bumper crowd at Old Trafford in the final.

Head of Academy Nick Cox said: "Kobbie has had an exceptional season and risen to every challenge that he has faced. He has been at the club from a really young age and has always been an exciting talent but, importantly, he’s shown the work rate and desire to succeed.

"Every time Kobbie has played for an Academy side this year, he has performed to a very high standard and that has given him the platform to go and impress Erik ten Hag and the first-team coaches.

"His debut was a fantastic moment for Kobbie, his family and the dedicated staff who have supported him along the journey. To start a game for Manchester United, at the age of just 17, is a special achievement. We are really proud of the way he has applied himself in first-team training and he thoroughly deserves the recognition of this award."

Kobbie Mainoo made his Premier League debut against Leicester City.
The Stockport-born prospect joins an illustrious cast of winners dating back to Norman Whiteside in 1982/83 – when the prize was known as the Supporters' Club Young Player of the Year.
 
Subsequent recipients include Mark Hughes, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Danny Welbeck and Marcus Rashford.
 
You can read the complete list, and find out more about the award's history, by clicking here.
 
Congratulations, Kobbie! Keep up the good work!

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