Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo named the fifth-best teenager in world football

Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo has been named as the fifth-best teenager in world football.

In a study conducted by the CIES Football Observatory, a compilation was made of the top 100 youngsters on the planet, based on experience and ability.

During an extremely difficult 2023/24 season that saw United finish in eighth position in the Premier League, Mainoo was one of the few shining lights for his side.

The Carrington academy graduate broke into the team and in next to no time, cemented his place under Erik ten Hag. The player impressed with his calm and composed displays in the middle of the park that on multiple occasions, saw him outshine most of his senior and more experienced teammates.

Mainoo finished the campaign by scoring United’s winning goal in the FA Cup final against Manchester City. A superb Euro 2024 campaign with England followed, in which the 19-year-old became the midfield solution for the Three Lions on their way to the final of the competition.

Mainoo has already started the 2024/25 season on a high note, highlighted by the fact he has the best dribble success rate in Europe.

The sky seems to be the limit for the Englishman, who according to the CIES Football Observatory, is the fifth-best teenager in world football at the moment.

He is only behind Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) in first place, Pau Curbarsi (Barcelona) in second, Endrick (Real Madrid) in third position and Warren Zaire-Emery (PSG) in fourth.

CIES Football Observatory notes about their ranking, “Lamine Yamal tops the list with 2.75 times more experience than the average measured for players of the same age and position. The Spaniard outranks his Barcelona teammate Pau Cubarsí (x2.42) and Real Madrid’s Endrick Felipe (x2.41).”

Zaire-Emery has a 2.40 rating while Mainoo has a 2.32 rating.

It’s important to note that the level of experience is determined on the basis of last year’s official game minutes, weighted by the sporting level of matches played.

The other United star in the top 100 is new signing Leny Yoro, who is in 13th place. Yoro, currently injured, has a rating of 2.08.

A testament to his efforts and meteoric rise, Mainoo is in contention to win the 2024 Kopa Trophy

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