Kobbie Mainoo stunned fans online when he posted a throwback photo of himself donning a retro shirt of a Premier League rival.
The Manchester United midfielder took to Instagram to celebrate his birthday, as he turned 20 on Saturday.
A Stockport native, Mainoo joined the club’s academy at nine years old and is famously a boyhood Red Devils fan, having previously posted old photos of himself in United kits.
But his latest post on social media saw him sport a 1996-97 Tottenham away kit, with the caption: ’20! Blessed.’
Fans quickly shared their surprise after seeing the young Mainoo wearing a Spurs kit.
One supporter asked on X: ‘Why is Kobbie Mainoo wearing a 96/97 spurs shirt? Thought he was one of us.’
Kobbie Mainoo posted a throwback photo of himself in a retro Spurs kit on his 20th birthday
The England international has been at Manchester United’s academy since the age of nine
Fans online were stunned after seeing the boyhood United fan wear the 1996-97 Spurs kit
Another commented: ’96/97 spurs shirt. What the f***.’
A third wrote: ‘What is he doing in a spurs shirt?’
In the photo, a child behind Mainoo can be seen wearing the same kit, meaning the Carrington graduate was likely wearing it for a tournament or academy trial, rather than because of any affiliation towards Spurs.
Mainoo has played 63 games for United, scoring seven goals since making his senior debut back in January 2023.
He has emerged as one of the most exciting young talents in Europe since his meteoric rise to the top of football, which has seen him score for United in their FA Cup final win over rivals Man City last year, as well as start for England in their defeat by Spain at the Euro 2024 final.
But United have reached a stalemate in contract talks with Mainoo’s representatives, alerting Europe’s top clubs to the fact he could be sold at the end of the season.
Mail Sport previously revealed that Chelsea are leading the race to sign Mainoo in a sensational deal if the central midfielder leaves Old Trafford.
Chelsea are ready to move for him if he cannot agree new terms, though they would face competition from Premier League rivals and clubs abroad.
Mail Sport revealed in January that Chelsea are leading the hunt for Mainoo if he leaves United
United reached a stalemate in contract negotiations with Mainoo’s representatives this season
United remain hopeful a compromise can be reached so they can keep their homegrown star, who is valued at £65million.
Mainoo is almost halfway through a contract that ties him to United until June 2027, but he is believed to want a new deal worth around £200,000 a week including bonuses that reflects his status as a first-team regular and established England international.
That is also thought to be Chelsea’s pay ceiling to agree on personal terms with Mainoo.