Kobbie Mainoo went to the World Cup as one of England’s most promising young midfielders. He just hasn’t played yet. Not a single minute.
That’s the weird spot the Manchester United star finds himself in as the Three Lions head into the knockout rounds. Mainoo was brilliant down the stretch for United last season, helping them finish third in the Premier League and earning himself a new contract at Old Trafford. But Thomas Tuchel has gone with Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson in midfield so far, and against Panama he even picked Jordan Henderson off the bench ahead of the 21-year-old.
Rashford’s the One Getting Minutes
Marcus Rashford has been the United guy actually seeing the field. He’s got 115 minutes across three group games, including a full 90 against Panama. Rio Ferdinand even gave him some love after that one. Rashford looked dangerous in stretches and has been enjoying something else too: the postgame connection with fans.
On the Lions’ Den podcast, Rashford talked about what those moments mean. He said for players it’s easy to get locked into the next game, the next opponent, the next result. But the fans remind them what it’s all about.
“That is probably the only bit of the whole camp when we get to see the enjoyment of winning a game,” Rashford said. “So you really enjoy the moment because for us, we have a game and regardless of the result, you have to go and prepare for the next one. It’s an ‘onto the next one’ mentality so you don’t always enjoy those little moments of winning a game or getting through the group, but the fans definitely remind us of how exciting it is and how happy they are for us.”
Mainoo Staying Patient, But It’s Got to Sting
Mainoo hasn’t kicked a ball in the tournament, but he’s keeping his head up. He told the same podcast that being inside the England camp makes it easy to lose touch with the outside world. Hearing from fans, he said, brings it back into focus.
“It feels positive now. We’ve had a tough group stage, but the team feels together and we’re looking forward to what’s next.”
Next up is Congo in the Round of 32 on July 1 at Atlanta Stadium. And here’s the fun part for United fans: Congo has two former Red Devils on the roster. Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Axel Tuanzebe both came through Old Trafford, and Mainoo said he’d welcome the chance to go up against them.
“They have some great players that we know, in Axel and Aaron, so we know them well as players,” Mainoo said. “That might help us a bit but they’re still top players and they’re a top nation, so it’s a tough game and we’ll approach it how we’ve done for the other games.”
Mainoo has to be frustrated not playing. Any competitor would be. But the experience of being in the World Cup environment at all should help his development. United fans will say he deserves a shot. Maybe Tuesday is the night Tuchel finally gives him one.
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