Kobbie Mainoo played in THREE different positions before becoming a central midfielder

Kobbie Mainoo played in THREE different positions before finding his home at central midfield.

Mainoo has become one of Manchester United's most important players this season following his stunning emergence last year.

The 18-year-old has made 17 appearances in all competitions, scoring two goals - including a dramatic winner against Wolves last month.

He's starred in the middle of the park, producing assured and mature performances for his side.

But Mainoo wasn't always a central midfielder as he has revealed that he played in not one but THREE different positions when he was younger.

He started his journey in football as a striker then was deployed as a No.10, and also played on the wing.

"Not many people know that I used to be a striker," he said. "When I was younger I was always a striker, and then No.10 and on the wing. It's only more recently that I've come into the proper centre-midfield role."

Mainoo clearly made the right call in moving to central midfielder as he continues to enhance his budding reputation with each performance.

Kobbie Mainoo in action against Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup. Image: Getty

In another interview, the teenage sensation credited Erik ten Hag for his success at Man United.

"He just wanted me to be more dominant and just demand the ball all the time. And when I first came up with the first team, he told me he was going to push me and he did," he explained.

"He just always demanded more from me and just being involved in every play and just always getting on the ball. He’s been so helpful. And then always guiding me, as well as the senior players.

"And pushed me to help me keep developing and keep getting better and better. So all credit to him. I had to make an impact. It was my first start, at Everton, and so I just had to take it in my stride as much as possible."