Kobbie Mainoo has admitted he has been loving life in the heart of Manchester United’s midfield across his impressive breakthrough campaign.

After an impressive pre-season, Mainoo’s emergence was delayed by an ankle injury which kept him sidelined until late October, but the 18-year-old has not looked back since returning and has quickly blossomed into one of United’s top stars.

With an England call-up his latest reward for his excellent form, Mainoo looked back on his “whirlwind” journey to where he is today.

“I thought I was going to hit the ground running at the start of the season but obviously I had an injury against Real Madrid,” he reflected. “It required surgery. A little setback. But it didn’t hold me back too much.

“Last year I was on the bench obviously, waiting for my time to get my chance. Around November I got my first start and since then everything’s gone so fast, so many games, and I’ve just been enjoying it so much.”

Playing for United is something Mainoo has dreamed of since joining the academy at nine years old, having watched stars like Wayne Rooney give their all for the famous red shirt.

Asked for his footballing heroes, Mainoo revealed: “I’d say Rooney. Paul Scholes as well. And King Eric [Cantona]. It was a bit before my time, but I still appreciate it. I’ve watched clips and stuff.

“I was a United fan. I grew up in Stockport. Both parents are Ghanaian and my whole childhood was football, really. Played for United since I was young and, yeah, it’s just been football, football, football since and I’ve enjoyed every second of it.”

More recently, Mainoo has enjoyed the chance to work alongside Casemiro, who he could have faced during this international break before the veteran Brazilian was forced to withdraw from his squad through injury.

“[Casemiro] has a lot of experience and obviously he gives me little tips and helps me a lot, talks with me and stuff like that,” Mainoo explained. “To have someone who’s played so much in the game and won so much in him, it’s the best you can have, really. As well as Bruno [Fernandes], who I play next to as well, who has got a lot of experience.”