A baffled Ian Wright asked Roy Keane how “immense” Manchester United star Kobbie Mainoo was snubbed from the England squad after the Red Devils star’s recent performance.
Manchester United dumped Premier League rivals Liverpool out of the FA Cup quarter-finals after a thrilling 4-3 win at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Amad Diallo, who was sent off after a second bookable offence, came off the bench in regular playing time and snatched the winner in the second half of extra time.
United have now punched their ticket to the FA Cup semi-finals, with the Red Devils set to take on Coventry City next month at Wembley.
Kobbie Mainoo, who has had a remarkable season at Old Trafford, started the clash against Liverpool and the United midfielder was sublime in his display.
The 18-year-old United star produced a show-stealing performance in the first half, with Mainoo excelling during an early dominant spell against Liverpool.
Mainoo was withdrawn in the 80th minute and replaced by Christian Eriksen, but the Stockport-born player’s performance once again caught the eye of Ian Wright.
Wright asks Keane about Mainoo snub
Kobbie Mainoo was tipped to secure his first senior England cap under Gareth Southgate after bursting onto the scene at Manchester United in brilliant fashion.
However, England manager Gareth Southgate snubbed Mainoo from the Three Lions’ squad for the upcoming friendly matches against Brazil and Belgium.
Southgate has explained why he decided not to select Mainoo, despite the United star earning rave reviews from fans and pundits over his performances this season.
Ian Wright has been a big admirer of Mainoo and the Arsenal legend previously called for him to be in the England squad after United’s 2-1 win over Luton Town.
Posting on X, formerly known as Twitter, the 60-year-old pundit shared a clip of him asking United legend Roy Keane how Mainoo failed to make the England squad.
Keane, who has also praised Mainoo this season, did not respond to Wright’s question, but the Sky Sports pundit could be heard laughing in the background.
Speaking in the clip, Wright said: “How’s Kobbie Mainoo not in that [England] squad?
“Roy [Keane], how’s Kobbie Mainoo not in that squad? Come on, man. Come on.
“You know, [the] man was immense today. Gosh.”
Erik ten Hag on Mainoo’s development
United boss Erik ten Hag has been impressed with Mainoo’s development in the first team this season and backed the youngster to be a huge success at Old Trafford.
The Dutchman admitted that Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho – both of whom came through the youth academy – must fight to stay in the first team for the long term.
When asked about the development of Garnacho and Mainoo, Ten Hag told TNT Sports: “Incredibly good.
“But they [Garnacho and Mainoo] are just on the start of the journey, and that is also what they have to understand.
“They are now in the first team, but getting here is much more easy than staying here, and there’s going to be a big fight for them [to do that].”
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