I am going to propose Kobbie Mainoo take an action that probably isn’t sensible for his future England prospects. But at this point – who cares?
It has been hard to watch England’s World Cup campaign through a Manchester United lens. Marcus Rashford has been a bit-part player, while Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire were not even selected.
Kobbie Mainoo was selected – but he has had to watch as a spectator. Despite being fully fit, Mainoo has not been asked to play a single minute.
And now, Mainoo could be asked to step in and play in the Third Place Playoff. The final insult.
Honestly, I feel that Mainoo should tell Tuchel to stick it.
Let us hear your thoughts on Thomas Tuchel’s treatment of Kobbie Mainoo
Walk away Kobbie, come back to United
The way Kobbie Mainoo has been treated has been totally self-defeating from Thomas Tuchel.
In England’s knockout games, the team were crying out for a midfielder capable of actually playing football, who can pass, carry, and protect the ball.
Tuchel explored every option aside from Mainoo. And in doing so, he ignored the option who could have helped England protect the lead against Argentina.
There is an argument that Mainoo should now let his football do the talking and prove his worth on the pitch, against a very high-level opponent in France.
I get that logic. But I also feel it would be more powerful for Mainoo to get on the plane and walk away.
Would he make an enemy of Thomas Tuchel and harm his England prospects? Probably.
But I’d respond ‘what England prospects?’.
Tuchel made clear after the game that he had no regrets over his choices. England at Euro 2028 will almost certainly revolve around Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson.
But you also have to consider how long Thomas Tuchel will even continue as England boss. On the basis of the World Cup, it should be a very short leash.
IF Andrey Santos is available to play Wrexham, who would you like to see him start alongside out of the available options?
Andrey Santos is training already!
Do it smartly Kobbie
Would there be a media backlash to Kobbie Mainoo refusing to play for England? Probably. And that’s the biggest reason against this move.
There is public sympathy towards Mainoo, so why reverse it? Manchester United players are never given fair treatment from the press, so it might not be a smart decision for Mainoo to put himself in the firing line.
There may be a smarter way for Mainoo to do this. Exaggerate an injury, or an illness, and excuse himself from the game more in a less confrontational way.
The Third Place Playoff is the worst game in football, and I’m worried about Mainoo suffering an injury that impacts Manchester United’s season.
I’d be quite happy for Mainoo to play absolutely no part at all.
England’s regulars earned their way into the Losers Final without Mainoo, and they should be the ones playing in it.
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