Manchester United star Kobbie Mainoo was spotted out at a restaurant with friends wearing the colours of their bitter rivals Manchester City on Wednesday night.

Mainoo, 18, has enjoyed a remarkable rise to stardom at Old Trafford this season, becoming one of the team’s standout players before making his international debut for England last month.

Kobbie Mainoo was spotted leaving a restaurant with friends while wearing a sky blue jacket

He appeared in good spirits as he shared a laugh with one of his friends outside the restaurant

Pep Guardiola’s City tried to poach Mainoo when he was younger, but were unable to convince him to move

But it could have all been very different as City were very keen to poach the talented midfielder during his younger days while he was in United’s academy.

Their interest was rejected at every turn, and Mainoo offered a glimpse of what they are missing when he was pictured in a sky blue jacket on Wednesday as he enjoyed dinner at The Ivy in Manchester city centre with his friends.

Mainoo appeared in good spirits as he exited the restaurant, sharing a joke with one of his friends that left him in fits of laughter.

His trip into town for dinner came just three days after he produced another moment of magic for United, as he scored a stunning goal in their 2-2 draw against title-chasing Liverpool.

His goal and overall performance earned him plenty of plaudits, as former United defender Nemanja Vidic compared Mainoo to ex-Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modric

Mainoo saluted the Old Trafford crowd after his sensational strike and has already become a fans’ favourite after managing to shine in a team that has struggled for consistent results under Erik ten Hag this season.

Despite growing up in Stockport, which has developed into a hotbed of talent at City, his relationship with the supporters implies he has no intention of leaving.

Although Mainoo chose a different route, Phil Foden, who is currently succeeding in Pep Guardiola’s squad, is from the same town.

Mainoo and City have remained connected, and in November it was said that they were preparing a bold move to try and entice the young player to the Etihad.

However, Mainoo has since committed his future to the Red Devils by signing a long-term contract with United.