Kobbie Mainoo starred in Manchester United's 2-0 victory over rivals Manchester City and two ex-Premier League stars have reached a verdict regarding his future
Joleon Lescott and Shaun Wright-Phillips speak on In The Mixer
Joleon Lescott and Shaun Wright-Phillips have reached a verdict concerning Kobbie Mainoo(Image: In The Mixer)
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Kobbie Mainoo will secure a place in England's World Cup 2026 squad if he maintains his form under Michael Carrick at Manchester United. That's according to former Manchester City stars Joleon Lescott and Shaun Wright-Phillips.
Under Ruben Amorim, the young midfielder found first-team opportunities hard to come by at United. Despite impressing for both club and country, the Portuguese manager struggled to accommodate him in his starting XI. Mainoo sought a loan move last summer, with speculation about his departure persisting into January.
However, following 14 months in charge, Amorim has been removed and Carrick is now in control until at least the season's conclusion. His opening match during this managerial spell concluded with an exciting 2-0 derby victory over rivals City, with Mainoo standing out as part of a three-man midfield.
Before Amorim's dismissal, Mainoo's prospects of earning a spot in Thomas Tuchel's Three Lions squad for the forthcoming World Cup in North America appeared virtually non-existent. Yet, according to Wright-Phillips and Lescott, if he continues to feature regularly and perform well at United under Carrick he's guaranteed to make the final selection.
When asked on In The Mixer, brought to you by Sky Bet, whether Mainoo will make England's World Cup squad if he continues to perform, Lescott responded: "100 per cent."
Wright-Phillips agreed: "If he keeps up with these performances, yeah." Lescott continued: "You're not surprised by his performance. He's played like that before, hasn't he? I'm not surprised at all."
Manchester United Head Coach / Manager Ruben Amorim reacts to Robbie Mainoo of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester United
Amorim benched the young midfielder(Image: Getty)
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The former City defender was also questioned about why Mainoo hadn't been getting game time under Amorim. Offering his theory, Lescott suggested: "I think it was just a personal thing. Managers don't like certain players regardless of whether it's as a footballer or as a person.
"There's got to be something. There's got to be an element of that because he can't have not featured and then do that and it be a surprise."
Wright-Phillips remarked: "It just felt like to me that for whatever reason, the more people vouched for Kobbie, the more he refused. It's like he didn't wanna hear anybody."
Mainoo is also well aware of what new boss Carrick thinks of him. The manager was questioned on Rio Ferdinand's podcast last year about whether he would construct United's squad around Mainoo, and his response was revealing.
Mason Mount, Kobbie Mainoo and Michael Carrick walk off after the Premier League match between Manchester United and Manchester City
Carrick started Mainoo against City(Image: Getty)
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Carrick stated: "I think for a club to have a player that's come through the academy and knows the club and feels it, I think you have to. United's got to have an element of that.
"Always has done, always should, always have. To have a talent like that he's shown already, you've got to have players like that. You can say they get it. They know it, let's help them, let's build them and stick with them and I think there's definitely a place for him there for sure."
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