Cristiano Ronaldo was left off of Kobbie Mainoo’s list of his three favourite Manchester United players.
This season, Mainoo has fulfilled the ambition of every young Man United supporter as he become an indispensable member of Erik ten Hag’s squad at the tender age of 18.
This season, the midfielder has made 20 appearances across all competitions, including 14 in the Premier League, since making his senior United debut in the previous campaign.
Gareth Southgate did a U-turn and added Mainoo to his England team for the upcoming friendlies against Brazil and Belgium because of how much of an impression he has made.
With United as their parent club and its illustrious past, Mainoo has no shortage of legendary players to aspire to.
Old Trafford has been home to some of the greatest players in football history, including five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Portuguese attacker first gained notoriety at United in the 2000s before making a then-world record transfer to Real Madrid. In 2021, he made a second tenure at the team.
Despite Ronaldo’s contentious departure from the team a month prior to Mainoo’s senior debut, the young player was undoubtedly teammates with him on the practice pitch.
When asked to pick his three United legends in an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live, Mainoo ignored Ronaldo.
“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.”
Though Mainoo passed on Ronaldo, there’s no arguing with his selections.
Rooney has the record for most goals scored by United in history, and Scholes is considered as one of the greatest midfielders to have played in the Premier League.
And then there’s Cantona; even if he hadn’t been a great player, his cultural significance would have elevated him to the status of club legend.
