I wanted to be like Roo when I was a kid

KOBBIE MAINOO’S hero growing up was Wayne Rooney – but he revealed he used to be compared to another ex-Manchester United star because of his hairstyle.

As a youngster coming through the United ranks, the club’s all-time leading scorer and former England captain Rooney (right) was Mainoo’s idol.

But the 19-year-old, now a United star in his own right, revealed he used to be likened to a former Red Devil who he came up against last weekend.

Asked who his hero was, Mainoo said: “Rooney. But when I was younger I used to have a high top, so everyone said I looked like Danny Welbeck!”

Mainoo played against Brighton forward Welbeck, now 33, in United’s 2-0 win at the Amex Stadium last Sunday.

“Yeah, that was a bit mad,” he said.

This season has been Mainoo’s breakthrough campaign, his composure on the ball and goalscoring threat earning a regular starting place.

“I always liked time on the ball when I was younger,” said Mainoo. “I played futsal, so I always liked the ball at my feet and dribbling.

“I got comfortable from doing that and I started to take joy from running at players or shielding the ball from players.”

Mainoo has scored four goals this season, the pick his last-gasp solo strike in a 4-3 win at Wolves and a curling effort in a 2-2 home draw with Liverpool. Recalling his goal at Molineux, Mainoo said: “When I got the ball, I just saw the defender coming out so I just wanted to [nut] meg him.

“Once I got the meg, I thought it had opened up and Omari [Forson] had made the run, so it was just on to get the shot on. So that was a nice first Premier League goal.”