Gareth Southgate has hailed the influence of Kobbie Mainoo following England’s Euro 2024 semi-final triumph, admitting he has never had a midfield player quite like the Manchester United star at his disposal.
Off the back of a stunning debut campaign at Old Trafford, Mainoo was brought into the England team for knockout games against Slovakia and Switzerland alongside Declan Rice.
The 19-year-old put in a superb display in what was England’s best performance of the competition against the Dutch on Wednesday night with Ollie Watkins’ last-gasp winner booking their place in Sunday’s final against Spain.
The Three Lions dominated the first-half despite falling behind early on with Mainoo at the heart of it. Belying his age, the teen helped dictate possession and was a dangerous and dynamic threat with the ball as he combined brilliantly with Phil Foden in tormenting Ronald Koeman’s side.
Mainoo’s place in the starting XI on Sunday is virtually guaranteed with Southgate lauding his latest display.
The England boss began the competition with Trent Alexander-Arnold moved into midfield as he sought to find a suitable replacement for Jordan Henderson and Kalvin Phillips, key figures in previous competitions but both left out of this summer’s squad.
Southgate has now fully placed his faith in a midfield option his team has sorely lacked.
‘I think all of his performances have been exceptional, especially when you consider his age. We haven’t really had a player like him until now,’ the England boss said.
‘It makes such a difference when your midfield players can receive [the ball] pressed and turn with the ball so easily and comfortably. It looks simple when he does it, but it isn’t simple.
‘But I thought him and Phil popping up in spaces, Jude [Bellingham]… our movement was really good. That caused a lot of problems and forced them to adapt how they were without the ball.’
Mainoo made his full Premier League debut for United in November and instantly became a key figure under Erik ten Hag, scoring memorable goals against Wolves and Liverpool before getting on the score sheet again in the FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
‘It’s an indescribable feeling,’ Mainoo said, reflecting on his journey.
‘It’s happened quickly, but I’ve just been taking it day by day, game by game, and yes now we’re in the European Championship final.
‘We’re all buzzing, it’s been such a journey to get here. I feel like we’ve built on our performances that we’ve had leading to this point and I feel like the only way is up, time to put ourselves into history.
‘I feel like in the first half it was clicking with the whole team, everyone was getting on the ball. Me, Phil (Foden), Dec (Rice), Jude (Bellingham), I feel like we had the game under control in middle of the park and feel like the second half we had to grind out.
‘It was very tough but the whole squad was a help. I mean, the impact off the bench from Cole (Palmer) and Ollie. I mean, what a finish, what a way to end it.’
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