KOBBIE MAINOO’S quick ascent to prominence in the Manchester United first team has been one of the season’s highlights.

But it almost didn’t happen after it was revealed that Juventus had expressed interest in Mainoo when he was only eleven.

Juventus were interested in Mainoo when he was only eleven years old.

He starred for England against Belgium.

The Serie A heavyweights reportedly saw him as “the next Paul Pogba” and hoped to replicate their success in signing Pogba as a free agent from United in 2012.

TalkSPORT interviewed Polish journalist Pawel Klama about how he discovered Mainoo at a young age.

In 2016, he witnessed the United young squad compete in the Murapol Cup against the Polish team Akademia Pilkarska Wisly Krakow.The big signing for Manchester United, photographed with the rest of his family.

Mainoo played as an attacking midfielder that day, and Klama said his talent was obvious, revealing: “During the Legia Cup, he drew a lot of attention.

“From tournament spectators to organisers to staff from other teams, notably Juventus, where the coaches themselves inquired if I knew anything more about him.

“They were interested in him, but that’s about it.

“The majority of the teams were impressed by him, his playing style, and his maturity at this point of learning how to play football.

“Whether there was any interest at a later stage, I don’t know.”

The Italian club regarded Mainoo as ‘the next Paul Pogba’, having signed him as a youth from United.

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Mainoo has only made 23 appearances for United this season, missing the first half due to injury, but he has already earned two England caps.

He was a star performer in England’s 2-2 tie with Belgium, which Klama believes is not surprising given how he played as a child.

Klama stated: “What separated him at this age – at the U11 team level – was his self-confidence. He was not afraid of playing 1 versus. 2, or even 1 vs. 3.

“He played well with the ball at his feet and had excellent technique.

“What drew the most attention, though, was his ability to lead the team at such a young age. He was, I wouldn’t call him a leader, but the other boys followed him. It was clear that he had something.

“He was clearly one of those young boys that immediately drew attention, and as I have been monitoring the Manchester academy for nearly 15 years, he is without a doubt one of the most generational talents in the institution.

“We all know about the Class of 92, but honestly I’ve never seen then or now a kiddo like him.”