Manchester United fans have every right to feel that Kobbie Mainoo was hard done by during England’s World Cup campaign under Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel.
Kobbie Mainoo had been a starring player for England during the Three Lions’ sensational run to the final of Euro 2024 in Germany under Sir Gareth Southgate.
Fast-forward from the 2024 final defeat against Spain to the 2026 World Cup and the 21-year-old Manchester United midfielder had a non-existent role in the set-up.
Mainoo spent his entire World Cup experience — his first time at the tournament — watching from the bench in all six of England’s matches at the FIFA competition.
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Kobbie Mainoo’s role under Thomas Tuchel at the World Cup shows where Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw dodged a bullet
Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford were the only two Manchester United first-team players to make the Three Lions’ World Cup squad this summer.
However, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw had both been snubbed from England’s World Cup squad, despite their key roles under Sir Gareth Southgate in the past.
Shaw had produced a strong season at Man Utd after overcoming his injury setbacks, while Maguire had enjoyed a resurgence in form at Old Trafford.
Maguire had featured under Tuchel during the March break, but the 33-year-old ex-Man Utd captain did not do enough to secure a place in the World Cup squad.
Fortunately for Maguire and Shaw — and unfortunately for Mainoo — they dodged the same fate of their Man Utd teammate at the World Cup under Tuchel’s watch.
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Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw are in an advantageous position to Kobbie Mainoo now after England’s World Cup exit
Mainoo’s bench-warming role at the World Cup could mean that the Stockport-born talent must play ‘catch-up’ for the Red Devils’ pre-season tour this summer.
Some Man Utd first-team players reported for pre-season training last week, with the likes of Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw among the first to report back.
United are only days away from kicking off their pre-season tour under Michael Carrick, with the Red Devils set to face Wrexham in Helsinki on Saturday.
Mainoo might receive an extended break due to England’s World Cup progression before he reports back to Man Utd for the remainder of the summer tour.
Maguire and Shaw have time to prepare for the start of the new season, while Mainoo will have to be efficient with his time under Michael Carrick this summer.
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