Kobbie Mainoo Names His 3 Biggest Man Utd idols, Ignores Cristiano Ronaldo

• Kobbie Mainoo has named three of his biggest Man United idols
• The 18-year-old ignored former United hero Cristiano Ronaldo
• Mainoo was for the first time invited to the England senior team

Kobbie Mainoo has opened up on his top three Manchester United idols, with Cristiano Ronaldo notably absent from the list.

The 18-year-old has raised the hopes of many United fans by becoming a regular presence in Erik ten Hag's squad this season.

After making his senior debut for the Red Devils last season, the midfielder has made 20 appearances across all competitions this term, with 14 of those coming in the Premier League.

Mainoo's impressive performances led to Gareth Southgate reversing his decision and including him in the England squad for the upcoming friendlies against Brazil and Belgium.

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At a club like United, the youngster has countless legendary figures to admire. Among them is Portugal captain Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d'Or winner.

The 39-year-old rose to prominence at Old Trafford in the 2000s before joining Real Madrid. Having won the Ballon d'Or five times, Ronaldo returned to United in 2021 for a second stint.

Despite Ronaldo's esteemed status as a hero at United, Mainoo chose not to include him when asked to name his three United icons during an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live.

"I’d say [Wayne] Rooney, [Paul] Scholes as well and King Eric [Cantona]," Mainoo replied.

"It was a bit before my time but I still appreciate it."

Mainoo's market value surges

The Manchester United prodigy has had a stellar season with the Red Devils, leading to a significant surge in his market value.

With Transfermarkt's latest update unveiled, Sports Brief examines the top 10 players who have seen the most substantial increases in their market worth.

Mainoo's value now stands at €36 million, positioning him as the fourth most valuable teenage midfielder globally.