Thomas Tuchel not handing Kobbie Mainoo a single minute in this World Cup so far is a farce, but his teammate in the same position is benefitting from being in the same boat.
England are into the quarter-finals of this World Cup, but it’s no thanks to Kobbie Mainoo, who has watched every minute from the bench.
Thomas Tuchel has even played Jordan Henderson ahead of him, although things might change now that Henderson is injured.
It’s clear that it’s wasted time for Mainoo, who could have enjoyed a rest and full pre-season, but another Man Utd player in the same position as Mainoo is actually benefitting from this predicament.
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…
Senne Lammens is under Thibaut Courtois’ wing
While Mainoo waits for some minutes and has at least some realistic hope of having that hope fulfilled, Senne Lammens knew what he was signing up for.
Lammens will only play in this World Cup if Thibaut Courtois is injured, so it’s all but certain that he’ll play zero minutes in this tournament.
However, his situation couldn’t be more different from Mainoo’s, as he’s receiving with Belgium what he doesn’t at Old Trafford.
At Carrington, he’s the first-choice goalkeeper, and even though there is Tom Heaton as a veteran voice, Courtois is literally one of the best in the world.
Furthermore, Lammens is getting mentored by Courtois at the biggest international tournament, so he’s getting a soft launch as Belgium’s heir apparent under the brightest lights.
Unlike Mainoo, Lammens is actually benefitting from a set of circumstances entirely different from what he faces at Man Utd.
He will be better off with this experience, and when the time eventually comes to take over from Courtois, United and Belgium will have a goalkeeper who’s already been there and done that, while learning from the very best.
Lammens needs to prove just one thing at Man Utd
Last season, Lammens’ job was made somewhat easier as he replaced two error-prone goalkeepers in Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir.
Senne Lammens has been voted SIGNING OF THE SEASON by fans on TalkingPoints – Send your message to the goalkeeper here…
It was easy for him to get into a virtuous cycle by doing the bare minimum, which he did perfectly.
Now he just needs to prove that he can overcome second-season blues at Old Trafford, when the opponents have studied him more, and his competitor is his debut-season self.
Courtois is likely to retire after this World Cup as well, so the stage will be set for him to emerge as one of the top GKs in the world for club and country.
When it happens this World Cup will be remembered as the time where he got soft-launched as the heir apparent to one of the best in the world.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
