Kobbie Mainoo reveals his Manchester United nickname and explains shirt number

It has been a whirlwind rise for Kobbie Mainoo. He was always highly-rated at youth team level but this time last year, he was not a name that every Manchester United fan really knew.

Erik ten Hag identified the 18-year-old as a player with high potential and famously spoke to him in the wake of the Carabao Cup victory over Newcastle at Wembley. Mainoo went on to feature for United in pre-season but an unfortunate injury delayed his proper integration to the first-team frame.

Now, he is not only a United star, he is an England one too and is in line for a call-up to their 23-man squad for this summer's European Championship in Germany.

With the newfound fame comes a lot of interest in the Stockport-born starlet and he recently sat down with official club media to answer a number of questions from supporters.

Asked by one fan why he wore the No. 37 shirt, Mainoo explained that it was simply because he was given it, rather than because he had requested it himself.

“It’s the number, I was given, Kevin!," he said. "I didn’t really have a choice! I mean, last season, I was 73 and, to be honest, I didn’t really mind what number I changed to this season. Just give me 37.”

When asked if he had a nickname, Mainoo added: “A lot of people call me Kobs, yeah. Kobs.” Mainoo also revealed who his dream midfield partner would be. “I’d say Paul Scholes, although there might not be a lot of defending happening between the two of us! [laughs] But, yeah, Scholes. Scholes, definitely. His passing, his movement, the way he could finish. His intelligence, yes, he was a great player.”