The wholesome reason why Manchester United's FA Cup hero Kobbie Mainoo is learning Spanish

05/25/2024 02:55 PM

FA Cup match-winner Kobbie Mainoo has been learning Spanish since last summer at Manchester United as an avid linguist.

Mainoo has enjoyed a breakout campaign at United this season, catapulting himself onto the world stage with his wonderful winner against Wolves in February.

His performances have earned the 19-year-old a spot in Gareth Southgate’s provisional 33-man England squad ahead of Euro 2024.

And his stunning campaign for United has ended with him scoring the eventual winner in the FA Cup final against rivals Manchester City.

While the England international might have little reason to learn another language, the midfielder has revealed he has been learning Spanish for the past year.

The youngster was sidelined with injury in pre-season and decided to pick up the lingo as a hobby.

Speaking to The Telegraph, Mainoo said: “I started Spanish lessons on Zoom just to pass the time a bit.

“It's tough to keep doing them now with the schedule being so busy. Now it's into summer I'll try to pick it up again because I enjoyed it.”

Mainoo might already be one of United’s key players in midfield, adding energy and dynamism that was severely lacking with Christian Eriksen and Casemiro coming to the end of their careers.

But the teenager is not the only youngster making an impression under Erik ten Hag, with Alejandro Garnacho – United’s other goalscorer against City at Wembley – also one of the first names on the team sheet.

The 19-year-old, who has chipped in with ten goals and five assists in 51 matches this term, come up through the academy with Mainoo, who is keen to converse with the Madrid-born starlet.

And that includes discussing goal celebrations before kick-off, leading to one shining moment this season for the Red Devils that saw Garnacho, Mainoo and Rasmus Hojlund celebrate together on the advertising boards against West Ham in February at Old Trafford.

Mainoo added: “I always ask Garna[cho] before the game what's the celebration gonna be if he scores and he said he wasn't gonna tell me.

“He was like, 'I'm not telling you! I'm not telling you!' So I'm like, 'Okay'.

“But I saw him jump up on the advertising board when he scored and me and Rasmus just jumped up there with him. It was a nice picture.

"All of us young guys – Amad [Diallo] as well – we have a lot of fun together and we've definitely grown close this season."

United will be banking on their youthful duo even more so next season after showcasing their skills this year.

There is plenty of turmoil at the club, including speculation on Ten Hag’s job, but the Red Devils put that aside to win the FA Cup on Saturday.

And they can thank Mainoo and Garnacho following their 2-1 win over City.

The duo created FA Cup history with no final previously seeing two teenagers get on the score sheet.