Kobbie Mainoo's Manchester Derby Memories...

So, Cobby, thanks for speaking to us today. You're speaking ahead of the Manchester derby. What does this fixture mean to you? It means a lot to me. I mean, coming up in the Academy, we play City twice a season. It's always the biggest game. We know that being a fan, but then where the coaches would big it up. And it's always been a big rivalry for us. And so, yeah, really excited. You'll know all about it, obviously, being a boyhood Red, having come through the Academy as well. What are your earliest memories of the game as a supporter, first of all? As a supporter? Rooney's overhead kick. I'd say that's probably the earliest memory, yeah. Do you remember where you were? Did you see that? In the front room, watching it on the TV, yeah. Any standout moments facing City as a young player in the Academy? As a young player, a lot, a lot. It was always a tough game. They were a really good side when we was younger. But, yeah, scored a few goals against them. What age would you say you became aware of the rivalry between Red and Blue in the City? As soon as I was in school. I mean, I always had mates that were Blues and stuff. So it was always like, as long as I can remember. How was that then on derby days when United won? When we won, it was good. When we lost, it was tough. But it's character building, innit? With your family and friends, what's the split like between them, between City fans and United fans? All my friends now are Reds. And family's the same, all Reds. Yeah, all come out to Old Trafford and come and support you in games. Before we talk more about the game, what does being from this part of the world, in Manchester, what does it mean to you? It means a lot to me. I mean, I learned a lot of values and characteristics there, like made me who I am today. So I owe a lot to the city. And you grew up in Cheadle Hume. How much pride do you have in that area? And how would you say it's helped shape you as a person? I mean, playing for Cheadle and Gatley, that was a big part of my childhood. And, yeah, I always loved that area, loved growing up there. There's a number of current top young players like yourself from Stockport and the surrounding areas. Do you think there's any reason behind why there's so many players that come from that area? I don't know, the grassroots there is really good. And yeah, I'm not too sure, maybe something in the water. You're obviously flying the flag for Greater Manchester every time you step out onto the pitch. You did so, again, at the 2024 FA Cup Final. What do you remember of that day? Yeah, it was a great day. I mean, scoring a derby any time is unbelievable. When the FA Cup Final is just that much sweeter and to go on to win. Yeah, it's a day I'll never forget. Well collected by Manchester United. Bruno Fernandes finds Meunier. Meunier going to get this out to Rashford. Manchester United all of a sudden with opportunities to get running. Cross-field ball comes and it's going to pick out Alejandro Garnacho. What a pass that is from Marcus Rashford. Garnacho on the edge of the penalty area. Pulls it back for Bruno Fernandes. Meunier! How many times have you watched that winning goal back? Yeah, a lot, a lot. Not in a while, but at the time, a lot. Watch it from sort of start to the whole move, yeah. Would you say it's one of your favourite goals you've scored? Definitely. And what do you think younger Kobe would make of that moment? Is that sort of the moment you dream of? The moment you dream of, like at Wembley against your rivals to win a trophy. It's unbelievable. We were just wondering whether you've still got the bucket hat, the iconic photo with the trophy, have you still got that? Any other mementos from the game? Yeah, I've still got the bucket hat, still got some of the scars from the games and stuff. Yeah, I'll keep it forever. And what were the celebrations like after? Did you do anything separately with family and friends back in Stockport? Stayed down in London after the game. Obviously, we all went to the hotel and celebrated as a team and then kind of broke off and had some fun with family and stuff. And then you've had some more big memories against City, including the win in December 2024, a dramatic late win. How did that compare to the FA Cup final? I mean, any time you beat City, it's a big moment. It doesn't feel any less important as the FA Cup final. Beating your rivals is always good to have one up on you. And then you obviously played your part in Carrick's first game here, beating City at Old Trafford. Do you think that was a catalyst, both for yourself and for the rest of the team, that game, sort of what we saw for the rest of the season? Yeah, definitely, it definitely got the ball rolling for us and it was a big booster in building momentum, going to Arsenal after that and winning again. And so definitely a big part of the season. And what have you made of working under Carrick since he's been there that first, second half of the season? Yeah, I loved it. I loved it. So much help, especially him being such an experienced fielder and winning so much for this club. Anything that he tells you or any instruction that he gives you is gold, really. So it's been good to learn under him and play for him. You seem to thrive playing big games at Old Trafford. Obviously scored the win against Liverpool. What's key to having an impact in those big moments, do you think? I think just staying calm and sticking to the way I always play, not trying to do more for the occasion, just trying to play my football and attack every game the same. Mateus Kounia, Kounia looking for a ball between the lines, picks out Luke Shaw, Luke Shaw to the byline, cross towards the back post, Hammond gets there, knotted down, cleared away to the edge of the penalty area. Made it! Graduant! You seem pretty calm on the pitch. Are you like that in the dressing room beforehand in those big games? Yeah, just trying to be consistent with what I do and how I'm feeling, not be too high, not be too low, and I guess it carries on to the pitch with the way I play too. That winner in the Liverpool game obviously picked Clinch Champions League football for us. Shortly after you signed your new contract as well, can you just walk us through what that week was like for you? Yeah, it was amazing to have family in earlier in the week, to obviously sign the contract and then go into the weekend and we all knew it was going to be a big game, not just because it was Liverpool, but also because it's Clinch Champions League football and to do it in that fashion and score a goal at Old Trafford, it's better for them. There's things like it's written in books and in movies and stuff, you know? Where would you say that ranked in your favourite goals that you've scored so far? Top three for sure. Top three? Yeah. Above or below the FA Cup final? I can't say. No? I can't say. So in those games against City and Liverpool, what impact would you say the home crowd have? Can you feel the atmosphere on the pitch as players? Yeah, 100 per cent. It's like having a 12th man on the pitch, you know? The fans, we feed off them and the energy they bring us and so we look to perform for them so they can help us on the pitch as well. This season's Derby, obviously it's coming quite early in the season. What do you think a positive result there could do for us? Definitely. Anytime you beat City, it's positive and it's big for the season and it helps boost the team, so we're not going to take that lightly. We know it's a big one and hopefully we'll come out winners. And do you think being a local lad adds something extra to these games for you or do you just treat it as any other game? I mean, definitely always playing in that game since I was six years old obviously always makes it have that little bit extra for me, but I try not to change anything to what I usually do and trust the process that I usually play. And what would your message be to the fans ahead of that game? Just that we'll need them and we're going to perform and work as hard as we can for them. And what are your personal ambitions for this season? What are your goals, what are your targets? Everything we can do, we want to push and kick on as a team and yeah, rear-lead Legacy.