Explained: Why Kobbie Mainoo only moved into senior Man Utd dressing room at Carrington training ground in last few weeks

United academy product Mainoo, 18, has been one of the standouts in a difficult season for the club - who sit sixth in the Premier League, 11 points off fourth-placed Aston Villa. But despite his rising star status, one thing may have kept the youngster grounded.

According to the Daily Mail, Mainoo has continued to shower and change with the club's under-21 side despite making 18 appearances for Erik ten Hag's men this season. The report says there is a 'pecking order' at Carrington and once Donny van de Beek and Facundo Pellistri headed out on loan in January, the teenager was invited in.

Team-mate Alejandro Garnacho has reportedly been in the first-team dressing room for approximately a year and also had to wait his turn after making his United debut in the 2021/22 campaign. Omari Forson and Habeeb Ogunneye, who have been on the bench in recent games, still change with the under-21s and under-18s respectively.

Midfielder Mainoo, who has become a regular under Ten Hag since November, and his fellow young team-mates at United will return to action when they host struggling Everton in the Premier League on Saturday lunchtime.