This time last year, Kobbie Mainoo’s only experience of Wembley was as an onlooker at Manchester United’s Carabao Cup final win over Newcastle.

Manager Erik ten Hag wrapped an arm around Mainoo amid the after-match celebrations in February 2023 and told him: ‘Your day will come – we’re going to win trophies together.’

Mainoo’s day came a lot sooner than he or anyone else expected. Just 13 months later, he was stepping onto the Wembley pitch as an England player against Brazil after establishing himself as a regular starter at United.

On Saturday, he is likely to be one of the first names on Ten Hag’s team sheet when United face Manchester City in the FA Cup final.

‘It’s happened so quickly,’ says Mainoo, who has made 31 appearances so far this season. The first of his four goals came in the FA Cup at Newport, and he scored a cracker in the quarter-final win over Liverpool.

Kobbie Mainoo and Manchester United will look to upset the odds against Man City

‘That was my first time going (to Wembley). Seeing the amount of people in the stadium and the atmosphere was amazing. I was itching to play. Just watching it, yeah I was buzzing.

‘There were times when eyes weren't on me and all I wanted was for people to see me play football. I used to whisper it, to be playing at Old Trafford, under the lights.’

United’s defeat to City in the FA Cup final also came too soon for Mainoo, who was brought up in the blue stronghold of Stockport. On Saturday, he will get the chance to help his boyhood club take revenge over their neighbours.

‘Growing up, obviously, everyone around me was a City fan,’ he adds. ‘There were only a few of us who had to fight as United fans. To play in a derby as an FA Cup final is a dream come true.

‘We’re not coming to take part, we’re coming to win. City are one of, if not the best team in the world at the moment, you can't deny it. But anything can happen in finals.’

Recalling the goal against Liverpool – which drew comparisons with Federico Macheda’s famous strike at the Stretford End against Aston Villa in 2009 – Mainoo spotted his mum Abina in the crowd.

‘I saw the comparisons (with Macheda) after,’ he says. ‘When the ball hit the back of the net, I was just celebrating a goal at Old Trafford against Liverpool! I was just thinking about that but when I saw the comparisons it was mad to see.

‘I could see my mum with my cousin in the crowd in front of me, that's who I blew a kiss to when I scored. The family come to almost every game and they keep my feet on the ground.

‘Obviously, on the pitch a lot has changed. A lot more people know my name now. But at home with the family I have around me they very much keep me grounded and nothing changes at home. When I try to go to the corner shop I get a bit more attention!’

Another celebration got plenty of attention too after Mainoo perched alongside Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho on an advertising hoarding at Old Trafford after the latter scored in a 3-0 win over West Ham in February.

‘I always ask Garna before the game what's the celebration going to be if he scores,’ says Mainoo. ‘He said he wasn't going to tell me. I saw him jump up on the advertising board when he scored and me and Rasmus just jumped up there with him. He wanted it for himself! But yeah, we jumped in there and it was a nice picture.

‘All of us young guys, with Amad as well, we have a lot of fun together and we've definitely grown close this season.’

It could get even better yet for Mainoo after he was named in England’s provisional squad for the Euros this summer. It was a prospect that seemed a world away when he was injured on United’s pre-season tour of the US last summer.

‘Back then I wasn’t even thinking about England,’ he admits. ‘I was just thinking about getting fit and getting back in the squad really, not even the starting XI. So to be here I wouldn’t even have dreamed it.

‘I’m not trying to think about it too much because we’ve got a final coming up, so all my focus is on the club right now. But obviously I’m going to the pre-camp and if I get selected for the Euros it will be amazing.’