Kobbie Mainoo is going to the 2026 World Cup, but the same cannot be said for Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, despite being among a list of midfielders being monitored by Manchester United in recent months.
The World Cup is 20 days away from starting, but Manchester United still have one game remaining before the 2025/26 Premier League campaign comes to an end.
Manchester United have secured third place, and many of the players in Michael Carrick’s squad will be hoping for call-ups for the World Cup.
Thomas Tuchel will announce his England squad on Friday, but we’ve already learned that United defender Harry Maguire hasn’t been selected.
Harry Maguire has been left out of England’s World Cup squad ❌🦁 did he deserve a spot on the plane?
Maguire has admitted he is "shocked and gutted". What are your thoughts on Tuchel's decision?😳
Kobbie Mainoo set to make England squad for 2026 World Cup
With the arrival of Carrick in January, Kobbie Mainoo rediscovered his mojo and place in the United line-up.
Mainoo had been overlooked by Ruben Amorim in midfield, and the young midfielder lost his place in the England squad as a result.
United-linked Adam Wharton was being selected ahead of Mainoo following his impressive performances at Crystal Palace, especially at the start of the season when Oliver Glasner’s side were thriving in the Premier League.
However, Mainoo has played all but one of the 15 games with Carrick in charge. And he’s expected to feature in the final game of the season against Brighton on Sunday.
According to Ben Jacobs, Mainoo is in the England squad for the upcoming World Cup.
At his expense, Wharton’s hopes of featuring in his first-ever World Cup appear to have been put on hold, with The Telegraph claiming he has been left out.
It wasn’t long ago that Wharton was rated higher than Mainoo, but that was partly because Amorim didn’t fancy him enough to start him in games earlier this season.
The 21-year-old has thrived under Carrick and deserves his place in the England squad.
- ⚡️ NEWS IN BRIEF
- Reports suggest Kobbie Mainoo has made the England squad for the 2026 World Cup
- Crystal Palace ace Adam Wharton is set to miss out on a place
- Wharton has been linked with a move to Manchester United
How would you rank these ex-Man Utd players-turned-pundits from BEST to WORST?
Add Rooney to the mix, and pass judgement on this lot that NEVER stops talking. Top five?
Latest on Adam Wharton’s future
Now that it looks like Wharton won’t be going to the World Cup, the Palace midfielder will have the entire summer to think about his future.
The links to United have quietened in recent months, with sources believing Wharton is too similar in profile to Mainoo.
Perhaps that was the reason behind Wharton’s omission, but it strongly suggests that United are looking elsewhere to revamp their midfield.
Wharton has been linked with an array of clubs, including United and Liverpool, but it remains to be seen who is willing to make a formal approach to sign the Palace ace this summer.
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