England national team kicked off a new era after the departure of Gareth Southgate with Kobbie Mainoo at the heart of the team.
The Manchester United wonderkid started in midfield alongside Declan Rice in testing circumstances away to Ireland.
The Three Lions came away with a commanding and comfortable 2-0 win, courtesy of goals from Jack Grealish and Rice, in Lee Carsley’s first game at the helm of the side.
Kobbie Mainoo, whose star has risen rapidly since his breakout season last year, impressed again alongside Rice as his now-trademark metronomic style of play earned many admirers.
Kobbie Mainoo numbers vs Ireland
Mainoo started alongside Declan Rice as the deep pivot in a 4-2-3-1, a role similar to what he plays for Manchester United alongside Casemiro, now potentially Manuel Ugarte.
He impressed with his trademark nonchalance and metronomic passing, with his ability to control the tempo of the game a clear standout.
Mainoo finished the game with 86 touches in just 77 minutes, showing that England’s good moments in possession all involved him.
He completed 72/78 passes, with six of those going into the final third as he was a proper progressive midfielder instead of having “sterile possession”.
With five ball recoveries also to his name, his discipline allowed Rice to be more adventurous, helping himself to a goal in the process which doubled England’s lead.
The national media was left raving about the display of the Man United ace.
How the national press reacted to Kobbie Mainoo’s performance
We have rounded up how the newspapers reacted to the Manchester United wonderkid’s performance in England’s comeback win.
The Guardian rated Mainoo at 7/10, praising him for his “assured” display in a deeper midfield role, giving England a “secure platform” to attack from.
The Telegraph matched that rating, showering adulation on the Rice-Mainoo pivot that completely “ran the game”.
The Independent went one better, giving him 8/10, pointing out his “tidy turns” and surging runs from deeper midfield.
The Daily Mail went with 7/10 while the Irish Mirror gave a glowing review from the opposition’s perspective, rating him at 8/10 and praising him for a “top class” display where he did everything with “minimum fuss”.
England play Finland next on Spetember 10 and United fans would hope Mainoo continues that form while remaining injury free.
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