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Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United's head of academy Nick Cox has admitted Kobbie Mainoo's progress this season has caught everyone at Old Trafford by surprise.

It was 26 November when he started a Premier League game for the first time after recovering from an ankle injury, and the 19-year-old did not make his England debut until March.

But for Cox, the rapid progress should not obscure the hard work that has taken Mainoo to the brink of becoming the youngest player to win a major tournament for the Three Lions.

"He's moved much faster than we thought," said Cox.

"This season he's made a Premier League debut, scored a first Premier League goal, first England call-up, England debut, first England competitive game, first England tournament match, man of the match appearances, Champions League appearances.

"It hasn't been an easy journey, though. They never are. Everyone who watches him play on Sunday might think it must have been plain sailing, but there have been injuries, dips in form, times when he's had to spend time away from his family, or change schools.

"He had to move away from his mates, which is a brave thing to do. When he was 14 or 15, he was not sure what his best position was.

"Sometimes there's this false perception superstars get there easily. They don't."

Even though immortality awaits if England are successful against Spain, Cox accepts that Mainoo still has some progression ahead of him.

"He's not played 50 games for the first team yet," he added.

"It won't always be smooth though and he'll have times ahead of him where it's difficult or he doesn't move at the pace he is now.

"It's important people remain balanced and know he's got loads to go."