Manchester United starlet nominated for Premier League award along with Palmer, Foden & Haaland

Manchester United youngster Kobbie Mainoo has been nominated on an eight-man shortlist for the Premier League’s Young Player of the Year award.

It’s a remarkable feat to be nominated for the award after missing the first half of the season due to injury, and at that point Kobbie Mainoo had yet to emerge as a first team regular.

That changed when Mainoo started enjoying an outstanding breakthrough campaign for United this season, providing a silver lining in what has been bleak times for the team.

Mainoo has been a key figure within Erik ten Hag’s plans as a result, cementing his place in United’s midfield.

He has made 21 Premier League appearances this season, scoring two goals. Mainoo’s first goal for United secured a dramatic 4-3 win over Wolves at Molineux in February.

The pick of his goals came against Liverpool at Old Trafford last month.

Premier League young player of the year nominees for this season: Phil Foden, Erling Haaland, Alexander Isak, Kobbie Mainoo, Cole Palmer, Bukayo Saka, William Saliba, Destiny Udogie.

Vote here.

Previous winners

• 2019/20: Trent Alexander-Arnold
• 2020/21: Phil Foden
• 2021/22: Phil Foden
• 2022/23: Erling Haaland

The young player of the year award has been dominated by City in recent years, and they’ve got two nominees this time around.

Chelsea striker Cole Palmer will be seen as the favourite for the award, but take nothing away from Mainoo, who has been nominated after playing just half a season of first team football.

Next season he will be even better.