What might have been!? Man United star Kobbie Mainoo spotted out for dinner with friends wearing a sky blue jacket, years after rivals Man City tried to poach the teenage midfielder

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.

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.

His connection with the fans suggests he has no intention of going anywhere, despite growing up in Stockport, which has become a hotbed for talent at City.

Phil Foden hails from the same town, and is now thriving in Pep Guardiola's team, but Mainoo opted to go down a different path.

City have continued to be linked with Mainoo, and it was reported in November that they were plotting an audacious move to try and tempt the youngster to the Etihad.

But Mainoo has since put pen to paper on a long-term contract at United, committing his future to the Red Devils.