England manager Gareth Southgate has expressed his confidence in young midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, stating that he wouldn’t hesitate to start the 19-year-old at Euro 2024. Mainoo, who impressed for Manchester United last season, earned his third England cap in a warm-up game against Iceland, despite his youth and limited international experience. Southgate praised Mainoo’s maturity and ability to progress the ball forward, indicating that he is in contention to start against Serbia in the upcoming tournament.
Mainoo’s rise has been rapid, jumping from the England U19 squad to the senior side, and his composure on the ball has won him many admirers. During the 2023-24 season, he made 32 appearances for Manchester United, capping off the season with an FA Cup win. While England suffered a 1-0 defeat to Iceland, Southgate acknowledged the fans’ frustration, attributing it to the team’s subpar performance. He emphasized that talent alone is not enough to win games and that the team needs to improve in all aspects to compete at the highest level.
Kobbie Mainoo made his third England appearance against Iceland on Friday
England manager Gareth Southgate has expressed his confidence in young midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, stating that age and experience won’t be barriers to his selection for the upcoming Euro 2024 tournament.
Mainoo, a rising star for Manchester United, was given his third England cap in a warm-up match against Iceland on Friday, despite being only 19 years old. Southgate praised the teenager’s maturity and ball progression skills, indicating that he is very much in contention for a starting spot against Serbia in the upcoming tournament.
Southgate told Channel 4, “We wouldn’t hesitate to start him. He’s shown incredible maturity, and he’s excellent at moving the ball forward quickly. He had two fantastic appearances for us back in March.”
Indeed, Mainoo impressed in his first two outings for England, facing off against Brazil and Belgium in March. His composure on the ball has won him many admirers, and his rapid rise from the England U19 squad to the senior side has been remarkable.
The young midfielder enjoyed a breakout season with Manchester United, making 32 appearances across all competitions and lifting the FA Cup at the season’s conclusion. His potential was on full display, and he quickly became a fan favorite.
However, England’s warm-up match against Iceland on Friday ended in a disappointing 1-0 defeat. Southgate acknowledged the fans’ frustration, stating that he understood their reaction. “I completely understand [the boos]. We didn’t play well enough to keep them excited within the game,” he admitted.
Southgate also recognized that the team’s performance needed to improve, saying, “We had some very good chances that we normally would have finished, which could have changed the complexion of the game. But that would have masked some flaws that were apparent tonight. From my perspective, I’ve learned a lot from this game.”
He further emphasized that talent alone is not enough to win games, especially at the highest level. “You’ve got to be spot on in every aspect of the game to win. We were a long way short of that tonight, and Iceland deserved their win,” Southgate concluded.
With the Euros just around the corner, all eyes are on Southgate’s squad selection and his plans for the talented Kobbie Mainoo. Despite his youth, Mainoo has proven that he has the skills and maturity to compete on the international stage. Whether he starts or comes off the bench, Mainoo is sure to make an impact for the Three Lions in their quest for European glory.