- Man Utd star Kobbie Mainoo earns nomination
- English midfielder one of eight players up for award
- Only made first league start in January
Manchester United star Kobbie Mainoo has been included in the list of nominees for the Premier League Young Player of the Season award. It’s been a rollercoaster ride of a campaign for the English midfielder.
Mainoo had to wait until January to make his first league start of the season. His future looked to be in doubt under Ruben Amorim but Michael Carrick’s arrival turned the tide.
Carrick immediately reintegrated Mainoo into his starting lineup and he’s been a standout performer. So much so, he’s one of eight players nominated for the Premier League’s Young Player of the Season.
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Kobbie Mainoo Earns PL Award Nomination
Mainoo has appeared 26 times in the league, posting one goal and two assists. He sealed the Reds’ return to the Champions League when he scored the winner in a 3-2 win over Liverpool earlier this month.
The 21-year-old has hefty competition to win the award but his nomination speaks volumes of his resurgence. Manchester City duo Rayan Cherki and Nico O’Reilly are also up for the award.
The club are linked with several nominees, including West Ham United’s Mateus Fernandes and Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall. Bournemouth pair Junior Kroupi and Alex Scott and Brentford’s Michael Kayode are also included.
Mainoo is one of four English representatives competing for the award. It’s expected that Bruno Fernandes will be in the running for the Premier League Player of the Season award.
What a Year
Mainoo pushed to leave United on loan last summer when lacking game time under Amorim. The club insisted he stay put and his former coach continuously suggested he was an important member of his team and his plans.
Despite this, the academy graduate remained on the outskirts of the starting lineup during the latter stages of the Portuguese tactician’s reign. He had to wait until the Manchester Derby in January to start his first league game.
If it weren’t for Carrick’s appointment, there’s no telling where Mainoo would be playing his football come next season. His contract situation needed addressing and a lack of first-team opportunities cast doubts over a place in the England team for the World Cup.
Mainoo has since put pen to paper on a new long-term deal and reclaimed his status as one of the most important players. Winning the Young Player of the Year award would be some way for him to finish a chaotic season.
