Kobbie Mainoo will be hoping to play a part for England on Wednesday night as they open up their World Cup account.
There is a lot of excitement at Manchester United around getting to see Kobbie Mainoo playing on the World Cup stage this summer, even if it is from the bench.
Mainoo has been excellent for England in the build-up to the competition and should have Thomas Tuchel seriously questioning whether he should replace Elliot Anderson.
Wayne Rooney has tipped Mainoo to shine, and whether he gets 90 minutes or nine minutes, United’s 21-year-old will be eager to make his mark. This begins against Croatia, where Mainoo is excited to take on Luka Modric.
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Kobbie Mainoo marvels at Luka Modric ahead of England vs Croatia
Mainoo has revealed the support he has had from Michael Carrick ahead of the World Cup, and he will need to use that advice against Modric.
Before the game on Wednesday night, speaking to ITV football, Mainoo has now heaped praise on Modric ahead of England’s World Cup opener.
“The time he [Modric] had at Real Madrid and at Tottenham, he was one of the best players in the world, and at one point was the best player in the world. Obviously, he won the Ballon d’Or.
“So it’s crazy to be able to play against him.
“Even at club level, just hearing what Casemiro would say about him, the pedestal he holds him on, with him being such a great player.
“[Casemiro talked about] The quality he has, him and Toni Kroos, just the quality they have and the way they play football, always wanting the ball and knowing each other so well.”
While he does have complete respect, if he gets off the bench, Mainoo’s current form should allow him to run rings around Modric.
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Mainoo on the qualities he has taken from Modric
In the same interview, Mainoo was then asked what qualities he has actually taken or been inspired by from the game of Modric, to which he also had clear answers.
“His technique is unbelievable, the way he takes the ball, always looking to play forward, to pick out passes through the lines.
“His final pass [what Mainoo would take from Modric’s game], like the assists and the decisive passes he makes in the game.”
Modric was an incredible midfielder at his best, a player Mainoo should absolutely be taking notes from as he strives to get even better.
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