Kobbie Mainoo did not play a single minute of World Cup football before England’s elimination to Argentina in the semi-finals.
It was Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez who came out on top as Argentina beat England 2-1 in the 2026 World Cup semi-finals.
Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford were eliminated as part of Thomas Tuchel’s England squad, although they do have a third-place playoff match to come before they return to Manchester.
Frustratingly, Tuchel has overlooked Mainoo and not given him a single minute of action in the World Cup so far. But that could change against France, and his midfield opposition is very interesting.
Let us hear your thoughts on Thomas Tuchel’s treatment of Kobbie Mainoo
Kobbie Mainoo vs Aurelien Tchouameni and Manu Kone
England face France in the third-place playoff, and that means Mainoo could come up against a pair of United transfer targets.
United wanted to sign Aurelien Tchouameni as their marquee midfield arrival, but he is now set to sign a new contract at Real Madrid.
Andy Mitten insists Tchouameni could still be available despite claims of a new contract, but a move sadly looks unlikely this summer.
There is concrete interest in Manu Kone, though. Roma have already rejected bids for Kone this summer and United are named as one of several clubs that are keen on the 25-year-old.
France manager Didier Deschamps has rotated between Tchouameni and Kone all tournament, and both could get minutes in the third-place playoff.
Mainoo could (should) feature for England, so he will get a close-up look at his potential midfield partner for United next season.
What is your message to Kobbie Mainoo after Thomas Tuchel overlooked him for England again?
Mainoo has played 0 minutes in England's opening four games…
Do Kobbie Mainoo and Manu Kone work as a midfield pivot?
With Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos already signed by United this summer, Ineos want their third midfield signing to be defensive-minded.
Kone is not as dominant as Tchouameni when it comes to winning duels and protecting the back four, but he is an exciting midfield target because of his on-ball and off-the-ball ability.
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United fans are open to signing Kone as the third midfielder, so it will be interesting to see how Mainoo fares against him in England’s match against France.
Michael Carrick will have an interesting puzzle to solve when it comes to finding the right balance in United’s midfield next season. He will have to pick a double pivot midfield from the Mainoo, Tielemans, Santos and one other – potentially Kone.
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