I want to return and do what Kobbie Mainoo has done'

'I left Man United in the transfer window - I want to return and do what Kobbie Mainoo has done'

Jacob Devaney has enjoyed a great start to his loan spell with St Mirren having sealed a temporary move away from Man United in the mid-season transfer window.

Manchester United youngster Jacob Devaney sealed a move to St Mirren in the mid-season transfer window. The 18-year-old is hoping the temporary move will improve his chances of following in the footsteps of Kobbie Mainoo in progressing through the United academy and making a name for himself in the first team.

The Reds Under-21 skipper joined Stephen Robinson’s side on a six-month loan. Having been mentored by Darren Fletcher in the United academy, Devaney has ambitions of becoming a Premier League star like Mainoo.

Mainoo became a breakout star in 2023 when he burst out of the Old Trafford youth set-up. Now Devaney is hoping to complete that same journey himself, only via St Mirren.

Asked who he admired at United, the Irish youth international said: "In my position, Kobbie Mainoo is a great one to look up to. He's done what I want to do, which is go through the academy.

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"My journey might look a bit different to his in coming here, going back and trying to break through. I like to think I back myself. I backed myself here to go in, do well and perform.

"I feel like I have that confidence to go on and push through. I've grown up a United fan so it would definitely be a dream to play for them.

"Even with the youth teams and Under-21s we get the chance to play at Old Trafford, which is something not many people can say they've done. Hopefully I can go on and do it in front of 75,000."

Devaney revealed Fletcher had been a source of advice and inspiration, saying: "I've worked with Darren. He came in when I was with the Under-14s or Under-15s. The career he has had at United has been amazing. Everyone speaks so highly of him in terms of his footballing ability. Again, with his coaching, we did position-specific sessions with him.

"He's a great coach to have around the building for me. Because the move happened so quickly, it was hard to ask about, but I'm sure if I did, he would have recommended it.

“But John McGinn is a prime example of what is achievable here. He has gone on to Aston Villa and done great things and hopefully I can do similar.”

Devaney's loan move got off to the perfect start on Tuesday night as he helped St Mirren stun league leaders Hearts less than 24 hours after completing his deadline day move. It was the United midfielder's bursting run that got Hearts captain Craig Halkett sent off for a last-man challenge.

He admits the feisty encounter was a huge step up from the youth action he’s been used to in Premier League 2. "This is the reason I came to St Mirren," he said. “I want to challenge myself at this level and improve my all-round game.

"I'm really proud and hopefully I can bring this into the rest of the season. It's a lot different playing here compared to playing in front of little crowds or no crowd at all.

"The football is different but I've had experience of it in the EFL Trophy games. I really enjoyed the challenge and hopefully I can kick on from now. United told me they just want me to get used to the style of football. I'm used to very possession-based football.

"Going into games, we might try and dominate the ball but there may be times where we have to concede having the ball. They just told me to enjoy the challenge and bring the things that I've learned back in the summer, and I'll be a better player for it.

“They last two days before the game have been long! I was up at five o'clock on Monday morning driving up. I think that's why I was cramping up before I came off. I've really enjoyed it and everyone has been very welcoming towards me. It's a great set of lads."

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