England's new wonderkid (with a Love Island star brother): Inside 'quiet' Kobbie Mainoo's remarkable rise to top after getting an international call up at just 18 - as his proud older sibling Jordan Hames leads congratulations
- Stockport lad selected last minute by manager Gareth Southgate on Tuesday
An 18-year-old called up to the England senior squad for the first time could be forgiven for throwing a lavish celebration.
But Kobbie Mainoo, the Manchester United prodigy who is living every teenage boy's dream after being picked alongside the likes of Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham, is unlikely to have encouraged too much fuss.
This, after all, is the 'quiet' Stockport lad whose favourite food is rice and peas and whose go-to party drink is a water.
Until recently, the limelight was stolen in his household by older brother Jordan Hames, who won hearts on Love Island back in 2019.
The midfielder's influencer older sibling Jordan Hames led the congratulations for his younger sibling with an Instagram post saying, 'movin on up', mirroring a similar tweet just three years ago reading, 'proud big bro moment fr [for real]' after Mainoo made his debut for United's under-18s.
![Kobbie Mainoo (pictured) could be forgiven for throwing a lavish celebration after being called up to the England senior squad for the first time](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/20/10/82676077-13217903-image-m-2_1710929878731.jpg)
Kobbie Mainoo (pictured) could be forgiven for throwing a lavish celebration after being called up to the England senior squad for the first time
![But the Manchester United prodigy (pictured, signing his professional contract with his family) who is living every teenage boy's dream after being picked alongside the likes of Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham, is unlikely to have encouraged too much fuss](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/20/10/82676081-13217903-image-a-3_1710929894340.jpg)
But the Manchester United prodigy (pictured, signing his professional contract with his family) who is living every teenage boy's dream after being picked alongside the likes of Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham, is unlikely to have encouraged too much fuss
![His brother Jordan Hames (pictured) paired with Anna Vakili in the fifth season of Love Island but later had his head turned by India Reynolds, causing the couple to split up and Hames to be booted off the island by angry voters](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/20/10/82676067-13217903-image-m-5_1710929903467.jpg)
His brother Jordan Hames (pictured) paired with Anna Vakili in the fifth season of Love Island but later had his head turned by India Reynolds, causing the couple to split up and Hames to be booted off the island by angry voters
![The siblings (pictured) have taken dramatically different career paths](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/20/10/82677735-13217903-image-m-2_1710932325176.jpg)
The siblings (pictured) have taken dramatically different career paths
![Hames led the congratulations for his younger sibling with an Instagram post saying, 'movin on up', mirroring a similar tweet just three years ago reading, 'proud big bro moment fr [for real]' after Mainoo made his debut for United's under-18s](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/20/11/82677893-13217903-image-a-4_1710932455147.jpg)
Hames led the congratulations for his younger sibling with an Instagram post saying, 'movin on up', mirroring a similar tweet just three years ago reading, 'proud big bro moment fr [for real]' after Mainoo made his debut for United's under-18s
The two posts plot out his brother's rapid rise.
Hames appeared in the fifth season of Love Island in 2019, entering the Mallorca villa in the third week.
He paired with Anna Vakili but later had his head turned by India Reynolds, causing the couple to split up and Hames to be booted off the island by voters.
The 29-year-old now works as a model for Vogue, Louis Vuitton and other esteemed brands.
But he is no longer the biggest star in his family after his sibling soared from relative unknown to World Cup hopeful in just six months.
In a climate where footballers are often paid hundreds of thousands every week and headlines are filled with stories of car crashes and alleged sex scandals, Mainoo stands out for his humble personality.
The prodigy might have succumbed to the temptations of a BMW 4x4 and Mercedes A-Class this season, standard issue at a club like United, but he leaves them at the front of the training ground in Carrington, away from the elite supercar-filled car park round the back.
The Stockport-born star might have made his League Cup debut in January 2023 and his Premier League bow in November but he only got given a locker at Carrington a matter of weeks ago.
Mainoo, who was eligible to play for Ghana before he opted for the Three Lions, has scored two goals in 20 games this season, including a dramatic last-minute winner in a 4-3 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers last month.
![The prodigy might have succumbed to the temptations of a BMW 4x4 and Mercedes A-Class this season, standard issue at a club like United, but he leaves them at the front of the training ground in Carrington, away from the elite supercar-filled car park round the back](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/20/11/82679327-13217903-The_prodigy_might_have_succumbed_to_the_temptations_of_a_BMW_4x4-m-11_1710934227765.jpg)
The prodigy might have succumbed to the temptations of a BMW 4x4 and Mercedes A-Class this season, standard issue at a club like United, but he leaves them at the front of the training ground in Carrington, away from the elite supercar-filled car park round the back
![The 29-year-old now works as a model for Vogue, Louis Vuitton and other esteemed brands. But he is no longer the biggest star in his family after his sibling soared from relative unknown to World Cup hopeful in just six months](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/20/10/82657221-13217903-Model_Jordan_Mainoo_Hames_pictured_appeared_on_the_hit_TV_show_L-m-7_1710929962210.jpg)
The 29-year-old now works as a model for Vogue, Louis Vuitton and other esteemed brands. But he is no longer the biggest star in his family after his sibling soared from relative unknown to World Cup hopeful in just six months
![In a climate where footballers are often paid hundreds of thousands every week and headlines are filled with stories of car crashes and alleged sex scandals, Mainoo (pictured, training with England) stands out for his humble personality](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/20/10/82656911-13217903-The_teenager_pictured_in_England_training_on_Tuesday_actually_st-a-8_1710929985574.jpg)
In a climate where footballers are often paid hundreds of thousands every week and headlines are filled with stories of car crashes and alleged sex scandals, Mainoo (pictured, training with England) stands out for his humble personality
But you won't catch England's new hope uncorking the champagne any time soon after he revealed his favourite drink was water.
His meal of choice is similarly unfussy - rice and peas.
A struggling United might have had a truly disastrous season if it were not for the youngster.
He has shaken off a pre-season ankle injury and dominated midfields across the country, guiding his side to sixth and a potential charge into the top four.
Things could have been very different.
When he was at local side Failsworth Dynamos he played a match in front of scouts at Manchester City and seriously impressed.
Ian Kelly, his coach at the time, told Manchester Evening News that Mainoo's sensible attitude contributed to his success.
He said: 'If anyone was getting up to mischief, it certainly wasn't Kobbie because his dad made sure that he took training seriously.
![Mainoo (pictured, at the England training camp with Anthony Gordon and Jarrad Branthwaite) has scored two goals in 20 games this season, including a dramatic last-minute winner in a 4-3 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers last month](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/20/10/82676171-13217903-image-a-11_1710930128124.jpg)
Mainoo (pictured, at the England training camp with Anthony Gordon and Jarrad Branthwaite) has scored two goals in 20 games this season, including a dramatic last-minute winner in a 4-3 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers last month
![You won't catch England's new hope (pictured, with Harry Maguire) uncorking the champagne any time soon after he revealed his favourite drink was water](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/20/10/82657013-13217903-Instead_of_playing_for_England_U21s_in_a_Euro_2025_qualifier_in_-a-14_1710930189790.jpg)
You won't catch England's new hope (pictured, with Harry Maguire) uncorking the champagne any time soon after he revealed his favourite drink was water
![Man United supporter Daniel Killeen shared on Twitter that he had watched the midfielder's winner against Wolves (pictured) with his father Vincent, who sadly died of cancer days later. The wonderkid responded on Twitter and offered him and his son tickets to a match](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/20/10/82676197-13217903-image-a-9_1710930115987.jpg)
Man United supporter Daniel Killeen shared on Twitter that he had watched the midfielder's winner against Wolves (pictured) with his father Vincent, who sadly died of cancer days later. The wonderkid responded on Twitter and offered him and his son tickets to a match
![A struggling United might have had a truly disastrous season if it were not for the youngster (pictured, with Rasmus Hojlund, left, and Alejandro Garnacho, centre)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/20/10/82676193-13217903-image-a-10_1710930120103.jpg)
A struggling United might have had a truly disastrous season if it were not for the youngster (pictured, with Rasmus Hojlund, left, and Alejandro Garnacho, centre)
'There was one team visit to a tournament in Blackpool when we stayed over and I had a drink with Kobbie's dad, who is a really good bloke. He's a funny guy and we had a real laugh.
'We won that tournament and beat an academy side in the final.'
Mainoo bagged his first silverware shortly after when he helped United to Youth Cup glory at Old Trafford, in front of a record-breaking 67,492 fans for the competition.
His talent was then recognised when he was named the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year at Old Trafford, following in the footsteps of past winners such as Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Phil Neville.
Being fast-tracked to success has not changed Mainoo's likeable attitude.
After Man United supporter Daniel Killeen shared on Twitter that he had watched the midfielder's winner against Wolves with his father Vincent, who sadly died of cancer days later, Mainoo responded by inviting the Man United fan and his son to attend a match at Old Trafford.
'Hi Daniel, Kobbie here. I saw your message on Twitter and was really touched by your story,' Mainoo said.
'I'm really sorry about the passing of your father. I'm glad you could share such a special moment together, and I could play a small part in that.
'I wanted to invite you and your son to a game soon at Old Trafford. So we'll get in touch and get everything sorted. Stay strong and I'll see you soon.'
The wonderkid's next challenge is the national side and tricky fixtures against Brazil and Belgium after his last-minute call-up by Southgate.
![He has shaken off a pre-season ankle injury and dominated midfields across the country, guiding his side to sixth and a potential charge into the top four](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/20/10/82657647-13217903-The_18_year_old_seems_well_above_his_years_too_with_Mainoo_unfaz-a-16_1710930209990.jpg)
He has shaken off a pre-season ankle injury and dominated midfields across the country, guiding his side to sixth and a potential charge into the top four
![Supporters have been clamouring for Mainoo's inclusion for months and many dream of him striking up a midfield partnership with Jude Bellingham (pictured: Mainoo with United manager Erik Ten Hag)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/20/10/82658297-13217903-Erik_ten_Hag_left_and_Mainoo_were_seen_celebrating_Man_United_s_-a-15_1710930208148.jpg)
Supporters have been clamouring for Mainoo's inclusion for months and many dream of him striking up a midfield partnership with Jude Bellingham (pictured: Mainoo with United manager Erik Ten Hag)
![Mainoo bagged his first silverware when he helped United to Youth Cup glory at Old Trafford, in front of a record-breaking 67,492 fans for the competition](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/20/10/82676173-13217903-image-m-17_1710930222519.jpg)
Mainoo bagged his first silverware when he helped United to Youth Cup glory at Old Trafford, in front of a record-breaking 67,492 fans for the competition
![He joins a talented squad, desperate to secure a first men's trophy since 1966, but with his hungry attitude and immense talent he will not look out of place (pictured: celebrating a goal for United's under-18s in 2021)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/20/10/82676169-13217903-image-a-13_1710930139476.jpg)
He joins a talented squad, desperate to secure a first men's trophy since 1966, but with his hungry attitude and immense talent he will not look out of place (pictured: celebrating a goal for United's under-18s in 2021)
![Mainoo's former coach said: 'If anyone was getting up to mischief, it certainly wasn't Kobbie because his dad made sure that he took training seriously'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/20/11/82679313-13217903-image-a-12_1710934252712.jpg)
Mainoo's former coach said: 'If anyone was getting up to mischief, it certainly wasn't Kobbie because his dad made sure that he took training seriously'
Supporters have been clamouring for Mainoo's inclusion for months and many dream of him striking up a midfield partnership with Bellingham, who was only 19 himself when he shone in England's World Cup campaign in Qatar in 2022.
He joins a talented squad, desperate to secure a first men's trophy since 1966, but with his hungry attitude and immense talent he will not look out of place.
England fans across the country will be hoping that Mainoo is cracking open a celebratory bottle of water after a World Cup win this summer.