KOBBIE MAINOO’S rapid rise to prominence in the Manchester United first squad has been one of the season’s high points.

However, it almost did not happen after it was revealed that Juventus indicated interest in Mainoo when he was only eleven years old.

Juventus expressed interest in Mainoo when he was only eleven years old.

He started for England against Belgium.

The Serie A heavyweights reportedly considered him as “the next Paul Pogba” and planned to repeat their success in signing Pogba as a free agent from Manchester United in 2012.

TalkSPORT spoke with Polish journalist Pawel Klama on how he found Mainoo at an early age.

In 2016, he saw the United youth team compete in the Murapol Cup against the Polish club Akademia Pilkarska Wisly Krakow.The major signing for Manchester United was spotted with his family.

Mainoo played as an attacking midfielder that day, and Klama said his talent was clear, revealing: “During the Legia Cup, he grabbed a lot of attention.

“From tournament attendees to organisers to staff from other teams, most notably Juventus, where the coaches themselves asked if I knew anything else about him.

“They were interested in him, but that was it.

“The bulk of the teams were impressed with him, his playing style, and his maturity at this stage of learning to play football.

“Whether there was any interest at a later stage, I don’t know.”

The Italian club saw Mainoo as ‘the next Paul Pogba’ after signing him as a youth from United.

The big signing for Manchester United, photographed with the rest of his family.

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Mainoo has only played 23 games for United this season, missing the first half due to injury, but he already has two England caps.

He was a standout in England’s 2-2 draw with Belgium, something Klama says is unsurprising given his playing style as a child.

Klama noted, “What distinguished him at this age – at the U11 team level – was his self-assurance. He wasn’t scared to play 1 versus 2, or even 1 versus 3.

“He was good with the ball at his feet and had great technique.

“What garnered the most attention, however, was his ability to lead the squad at such an early age. He wasn’t exactly a leader, but the other boys followed him. It was obvious that he had something.

“He was definitely one of those young boys that caught notice right away, and as someone who has been following the Manchester academy for nearly 15 years, he is without a doubt one of the institution’s most generational talents.

“We all know about the Class of 92, but honestly I’ve never seen then or now a kiddo like him.”

“We all know about the Class of 92, but honestly I’ve never seen then or now a kiddo like him.”