Kobbie Mainoo made his return to international football with an appearance off the bench for England, but it was bittersweet for Man Utd.
For Kobbie Mainoo, this appearance was vindication for the three months of hard work under Michael Carrick, and months of patience preceding it under Ruben Amorim.
Mainoo has come on leaps and bounds since Amorim’s sacking, and Man Utd will look at him and thank their stars that they didn’t make the mistake of letting him go.
However, Thomas Tuchel’s decision with Mainoo vs Uruguay was another haunting reminder of a mistake they’ve already made.
James Garner and Kobbie Mainoo of England interact during the international friendly match between England and Uruguay at Wembley Stadium on March 27, 2026
Photo by Eddie Keogh – The FA/The FA via Getty Images
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Kobbie Mainoo at the end of the Premier League match between Manchester United and Aston Villa at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, in 2026.
Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP via Getty Images
Kobbie Mainoo for James Garner should have been at Man Utd
It was in the 69th minute of the game against Uruguay when Tuchel called upon the services of Kobbie Mainoo off the bench.
Mainoo came on for James Garner, who won the MOTM award on his debut, with Tuchel going as far as to say that he’s England’s own Valverde.
For Man Utd fans and Carrington, this was a brilliant moment as one academy representative came on for the other for the national team.
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However, it was a haunting reminder of a mistake as well, because “Garner comes off for Mainoo” should have been a line that gets said weekly during Man Utd games.
The problem is that United didn’t trust Garner when they had him, and he’s now become the player who could complete their midfield.
Unfortunately, he has extended his contract at Everton, so the chances of that happening are slim to none, making it all the more bittersweet that the first time Mainoo came on for Garner, it was for the England national team, not Man Utd FC.
Man Utd must learn from Garner mistake
In many ways, United were set to repeat their Garner mistake with Mainoo in the name of “pure profit”, before Amorim’s self-implosion saved them from themselves.
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Kobbie Mainoo playing for England against Uruguay
Photo by Alex Davidson – The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Mainoo has made fools out of his doubters, with the only difference being that he managed to do that at Old Trafford, a chance never afforded to Garner.
Erik ten Hag didn’t trust him and bought players like Marcel Sabitzer and Sofyan Amrabat when he had a talent like Garner itching to break out.
United took a cool £15m and promoted their academy as a cash cow, when its true value should be in the players it provides for the first team.
Today, Garner is easily worth four times that price, and ideal for what United want in their midfield.
If they don’t learn from their Garner mistake and continue to sell academy players to buy average imports, then they won’t get anywhere.
“Pure profit” means nothing if it’s actively making the team worse.
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