GOLDEN KEY: Kobbie Mainoo shined in England with a ‘classy’ performance in the second half as the Man Utd star showed he was the perfect combination alongside Declan Rice in the match against Slovenia.
Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo played the entire second half for England today in their Euro 24 group C clash with Slovenia.
The Three Lions have qualified for the knockout stages of the competition despite a lacklustre group stage with three unconvincing performances.
Mainoo’s involvement had an instant impact on England, who only managed 63% possession against Slovenia in the first half.
With Mainoo replacing Conor Gallagher in the second, the Three Lions’ possession increased to 79% and in truth they never looked like conceding.
At a personal level, the United starlet was also impressive.
Mainoo completed 33 of 34 passes for an incredible 97% pass accuracy.
He also set Harry Kane up with a deft touch in the 90th minute, but the striker unselfishly laid it off to Cole Palmer when he could have shot, earned England three points and given Mainoo an assist.
Overall, it was a fine performance from the 19 year old, who looked completely unfazed by the occasion and brought a composure and maturity to England’s midfield. His ability to shine in a misfiring and dysfunctional team is as clear at international level as it is for his club.
Despite the lackluster performances of England’s other substitutes, Trent Alexander Arnold, Cole Palmer, and Anthony Gordon, Gareth Southgate should undoubtedly start the United player in England’s opening knockout match against one of the top four third-place teams—possibly the Netherlands—after this showing.
The experiment of playing Trent Alexander Arnold in midfield has not worked and Gallagher has also not looked comfortable in Southgate’s system.
Although Mainoo played wider right than he is used to at Old Trafford, of the three he certainly looks like the best fit alongside Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham in England’s midfield.
