Bruno Fernandes sent a poignant message to Manchester United teammate Kobbie Mainoo after England’s defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final in Germany.
Kobbie Mainoo played a starring role for the Three Lions at this summer’s Euros and the Manchester United midfielder impressed with his performances.
The 19-year-old United star became an influential midfield presence in the England XI and was partnered alongside Arsenal star Declan Rice.
Gareth Southgate had initially overlooked Mainoo early in Euro 2024, with the United midfielder making a brief cameo against Serbia in the Group C opener.
The England boss had opted to play Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold in an experimental midfield role before switching to Mainoo for the knockout rounds.
Mainoo impressed with his performance in the 0-0 draw against Slovenia in the final Group C match, with the United player subsequently securing regular playing time.
Fernandes responds to Mainoo after Euro 2024 final
Kobbie Mainoo featured for England in the last-16 win over Slovakia, the penalty shootout victory over Switzerland and the semi-final win over the Netherlands.
The Stockport-born player started the Euro 2024 final against Spain, but Mainoo failed to have the same impact as he had previously done in the tournament.
Mainoo lasted 70 minutes in the final before he was withdrawn for Chelsea star Cole Palmer, who came on and scored an important equaliser for England.
The England international took to Instagram and posted a heartfelt message after the Three Lions fell short to Spain in a 2-1 defeat on Sunday.
“Devastated to fall short but proud and grateful to compete in my first major international tournament for my country,” Mainoo wrote.
“We will be back.”
Bruno Fernandes, who had represented Portugal at this summer’s Euros, left a comment on Mainoo’s post and spoke highly of the United star.
The 29-year-old United captain made a major prediction that Three Lions star Mainoo has a “bright future” ahead of him in his career.
“What’s yours will come to you and a bright future is waiting for you,” Fernandes wrote.
Rio Ferdinand praises Mainoo’s Euro 2024 campaign
Rio Ferdinand was on punditry duties for BBC at Euro 2024 and the United legend waxed lyrical about Mainoo’s showing for England at the tournament.
“When you’re a young kid, playing at the level Kobbie is, you sometimes try to prove why you are there,” he said, as per BBC Sport.
“I know from my own experience that you feel you always have to show what you can do, and you can end up trying too hard.
“Kobbie’s not like that. He won’t try to push it and overplay.
“I’ve watched him closely and the first 30 per cent of passes of the ball he gets in a game, in those opening minutes, he is happy just playing the ball short, five or 10 yards, waiting for the right moment for his natural raw ability to come out.”
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