IT turns out Kobbie Mainoo is as cool and calm off the pitch as he is on it.
In just six months, the teenager has gone from relative unknown to Manchester United regular and a member of Gareth Southgate's England squad for Euro 2024.
A knee injury sustained in pre-season meant Mainoo only played his first game of the campaign in late November, but the 19-year-old has enjoyed a remarkable rise.
Speaking ahead of today's FA Cup final against Manchester City, he said: "Back then I wasn't even thinking about England.
"I was just thinking about getting fit and getting back in the squad, not even the starting line-up.
"So, to be here now, I wouldn't have dreamed it."
But Mainoo is not fazed by his new high-profile status, even though it means he can no longer pop to the local shop without requests for selfies and autographs.
"A lot more people know my name now," said Mainoo, who was born in Stockport, like City rival and England team-mate Phil Foden.
Denne historien er fra May 25, 2024-utgaven av Daily Express.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra May 25, 2024-utgaven av Daily Express.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Happy United back in the goal routine
RASH AT THE DOUBLE AS AMORIM MAGIC RUBS OFF
Horror show for hapless Hamilton
PENALTIES PUNCTURE LEWIS' BID
THREE CARSE IN-ONE
Stokes hails triple threat of England's matchwinner
Reed all about it as Sale roar back
ARRON REED was tipped for \"world-class\" status after scoring two tries as Sale hit Leicester for six.
MOUTH ALMIGHTY!
Lossie cut to 6-4 for Champion
Frasers faces possibility of demotion from the FTSE 100
MIKE Ashley's Frasers Group faces a crucial week with an investors' update on Thursday and potential relegation from the FTSE 100 next Monday.
'I knew when I had the call that she was going to die'
Hell of poison victim’s mum
Putin £100bn war chest vow in bid to finally crush Ukraine
VLADIMIR Putin has approved record military spending for next year as Moscow increases pressure on Ukraine to give up territory in the east of the country.
M Fury as Gregg Wallace hits out at 'handful of middle-class women' who complained about him
MASTERCHEF star Gregg Wallace prompted a backlash yesterday by saying complaints made against him came from a \"handful of middle-class women of a certain age\".
Balmy days are over as winter freeze bites back
THE big freeze will return this week, bringing snow and heavy frost to the north and temperatures as low as -7C.
