Kobbie Mainoo is in his second big tournament with England this summer, which seemed like a distant dream at the turn of the year. The Manchester United forward had an indifferent 2025-26 campaign, not starting a single match under Ruben Amorim. He even looked set to leave his boyhood club to get some minutes. However, things completely took a different turn with Michael Carrick taking charge at United.
Man United’s change of fortune coincided with that of the 21-year-old, young midfielder who started 16 games under the new manager, playing the full 90 minutes in 15 of them and missing only one match through injury.
As his playing time grew, his performances hit the expected ceiling too and Mainoo was able to catch England’s flight for the World. He played 20 minutes and 45 minutes in three Lions’ recent friendlies against Costa Rica and New Zealand respectively and as per reports got more minutes under his belt in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Miami FC this week where the Man United man reportedly put on an impressive show.
However, as there is still time before England facing off Croatia to begin their campaign on 17th June, the English players were allowed to have their time off the pitch and were joined by their WAGs as coach Thomas Tuchel relaxed the rules on visiting the team’s World Cup base, The Belgrove Resort and Spa in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Several of England’s players’ wives and partners rushed to meet them and amongst them was Layla Roye. The 22 year old is the girlfriend of Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo. Layla is signed to a modelling agency but is still studying for a fashion business and promotion degree at Salford University.
It is said that Mainoo and Layla started dating earlier this year but they have hardly been spotted together keeping their relationship private and Layla keeping a low profile compared to other prominent WAGs. However, their romance rumors came to spotlight after sharing tell-tale social media posts while on vacation in Dubai earlier this year. So, this was one of the very rare occasions and a very very rare instance, when Mainoo and Layla were spotted and pictured together.
Kobbie Mainoo and his girlfriend on holiday in Dubai pic.twitter.com/cOwY0k6h8F
— BONNIE 😻 (@hotteaspilling) February 19, 2026
Coming to footballing terms, despite impressive showings in recent outings, Mainoo expected to sit on the England bench to start the campaign as it seems Elliot Anderson and Declan Rice are Tuchel’s go to option in the field. But Mainoo did not start the Euro 2024 campaign for England as well and despite that managed to stamp his footprint in the tournament. This time around, he would again be looking for an opening of that sort to impress in the three Lions jersey again.
