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      ‘I didn’t know he played football’ says Kobbie Mainoo’s neighbour as pals reveal all about Nando’s-loving humble teen

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      AN ENGLAND star’s neighbour didn’t even know he played football, The Sun can reveal.Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo, 18, made an eye-catching midfield performance against Belgium at Wembley last night.Kobbie Mainoo made an eye-catching midfield performance against Belgium at Wembley last nightCredit: AlamyBut the Manchester United star’s neighbour didn’t even know he played footballCredit: GettyBut despite his £20,000-a-week job, Kobbie still lives with his dad Felix in a modest £370,000 semi — in a street where some neighbours have no idea who he is.The family moved into the rented three-bedroom home around four or five years ago and Kobbie keeps himself to himself, with one neighbour saying: “I’ve got no idea who he is.”Others talk proudly about having an England star in their midst, with another saying of the young star: “I remember him going to and coming home from school in his uniform.”He was always a very smiley young boy. I say hello to Felix when I see him. They’re a nice family.”Read more Sports NewsA third neighbour, who is a friend of the family, added: “I’ve known Kobbie and his dad for years.”Kobbie is a really nice boy from a really nice family – and he’s a really good ­footballer. He’s going to be a star.”And those who know Kobbie say he is a down-to-earth lad who “takes everything in his stride”.His first coach, Steve Vare, who mentored him as a four-year-old at Cheadle And Gatley FC, told The Sun: “He came from a lovely family — I used to have regular chats with his dad.Most read in Football”I do know Kobbie is still in ­contact with his old school friends — he hasn’t lost sight of the fact he is very grounded.”That is probably down to him coming from a loving, very stable family.”Gareth Southgate presents Kobbie Mainoo, Anthony Gordon and Ezri Konsa with England caps after their debuts v BrazilHe is also powered by grub from Nando’s — one of his favourite treats.He was recently spotted collecting a bag of food from his local branch in Altrincham, where he fist-bumped a member of staff who is a huge ­United fan.One onlooker said: “Kobbie came in on his own with his hood up, but he got recognised straight away.”He was a lovely lad and fist-bumped a ­member of staff. He seemed really nice and down to earth.”Mainoo was handed his senior Red Devils debut in a cup tie against Charlton in January 2023.Since recovering from an ankle injury, he has become a regular this season.It comes as Jude Bellingham heaped praise on starlet Kobbie.The wonderkid scooped the player of the match award for his composed performance in the 2-2 draw with Belgium.After the match, during which he scored a last-gasp leveller, Bellingham was full of kind words for his new Three Lions team-mate.The Real Madrid star said: “Kobbie Mainoo is very good.READ MORE SUN STORIES”I know how hard it can be when there’s a clamour and people put a lot of pressure on you… but he’s definitely a brilliant player.”He’s going to have an amazing future at Man United and hopefully for England as well.”Kobbie playing for his school in Year 6Credit: facebook/Cheadle & Gatley JFCHis first ever coach, Steve Vare, who mentored him when the star was just four years oldCredit: SuppliedIncredible rise of Kobbie MainooBY Amir Razavi
      The ace — full name Kobbie ­Boateng Mainoo — was born on April 19, 2005 in Stockport, Gtr Manchester, and raised in the sleepy suburb of Cheadle Hulme.
      Aged four, he began playing for local side Cheadle And Gatley under Steve Vare — who quickly spotted his incredible talent.
      Kobbie left Cheadle And Gatley for Failsworth Dynamos before being asked to train with United and local rivals Man City.
      He later opted for his beloved boyhood side United, joining the club aged seven — and was regarded as one of their best talents throughout his time in the academy.
      Kobbie studied at Cheadle Catholic Infant School and St James’ Catholic High before moving on to Ashton-on-Mersey School under United’s scholarship programme.
      One source said: “Kobbie was a very bright, very well-rounded young man and he finished with good grades.”
      During his time playing for the Red Devils, Kobbie has won the FA Youth Cup and the club’s Jimmy Murphy Young Player Of The Year award for the 2022/23 season.
      He signed his first professional contract on his 17th birthday – the earliest date a player can do so — and made his first team debut in the League Cup against Charlton Athletic last January. More

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      Ex-Premier League star in row with neighbours over ‘overbearing’ £1.2m home that’s been construction site for four years

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      AN EX-PREMIER League football star is in a row with neighbours over a new security wall.Canadian footballer Junior Hoilett is building a new home in the small village of Englefield Green in Surrey.
      Junior Hoilett playing for Reading in an FA Cup match against Manchester United in 2023Credit: Getty
      Englefield Green is a picturesque Surrey village where the footballer has made his homeCredit: Kevin Dunnett
      Hoilett is in a planning dispute with neighbours over his new security wall at his homeCredit: Kevin Dunnett
      Hoilett is a left winger who made 61 caps for Reading as well as 173 for Cardiff CityCredit: Reuters
      Hoilett, who last played for Vancouver Whitecaps, demolished the original £1.2million house and has been building a five-bedroom pad which boasts a gym, games room, playroom, and nursery.
      As part of the new build, the ex-Blackburn, Reading and QPR winger wants a wall and security gate to boost security at his home.
      But in a letter of objection, one neighbour wrote: “It hardly falls into the requirements of the village plan for soft, i.e, green frontages to property within the village.”
      “I would hope that some guidance could be given to the applicants in this respect an I object to the current proposal.”
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      The dispute follows the burglaries of the homes of high-profile football stars, including Jack Grealish, Kurt Zouma, and Raheem Sterling.
      There has also been a recent string of burglaries in the Englefield Green area, neighbours say.
      Amanda Willis, the chair of the Englefield Green Village Residents Association, said the group wanted to see more greenery in the village in general.
      Willis said the group didn’t particularly like the wall and would have preferred something more “open” which would show the house off.
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      But, the group had seen the plans and said the wall didn’t breach the neighbour plan and there was nothing they could do about it.
      One neighbour, who didn’t want to be named, said there had been a wall there beforehand.
      Is this the moment Jack Grealish is told of his family’s terror at £1m jewellery break-in raid at his mansion?
      “You don’t have to have greenery, you could have a picket fence, it just has to be within those parameters [of the village plan].”
      But, she said Hoilett’s new home was “out of keeping” with the area, in which most homes had a similar style.
      “It is what it is”.
      Another neighbour who didn’t want to be named said she didn’t like the new home either.
      “I would prefer to see what was there before. A nice detached house.
      “I have nothing against modern design, but something that is appropriate for the plot.”
      The new home features a basement with neighbours saying they could hear the piles being driven into the ground.
      The area is full of high hedges and walls which neighbours said muffled a lot of the construction noise over the past few years.
      Hoilett was granted permission to demolish and build the new home in 2019 and received further building permissions in 2020.
      In planning consultations, neighbours were worried that the three-story home would become “overbearing” to their homes.
      But, close neighbours said Hoilett had communicated well with them and informed them over his plans.
      They said the construction had been delayed because of Covid and Hoilett having to find a new contractor.
      Hoilett joined Blackburn in 2003 and came through their academy with former Man Utd star Phil Jones.
      He also played for QPR, Cardiff and Reading but quit The Royals last summer to join MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps in his homeland.
      Land Registry records show that he bought his Surrey pad for £1.2million in May, 2019.
      But it is now believed to be worth at least £3million after he knocked it down to make way for a two-storey new build, flanked by two single-storey wings.
      Officials at Runnymede Council are expected to make a decision on the plans next month.
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      Hoilett made 81 appearances for the Blackburn Rovers, 112 for QPR, and 173 for Cardiff.
      Junior Hoilett did not want to comment.
      Hoilett, a Canadian, has played for his national side 62 timesCredit: Getty
      Hoilett paid for £1.2million in 2019 and received permission to demolish the house in the same yearCredit: Kevin Dunnett More