Kobbie Mainoo has enjoyed quite the renaissance at Old Trafford since Ruben Amorim's exit and having looked to be on his way out under the Portuguese is now thriving - and also, back in the England squad
Kobbie Mainoo is back as a United regular under Michael Carrick and is set for a new contract
Kobbie Mainoo is back as a United regular under Michael Carrick and is set for a new contract
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Kobbie Mainoo has been backed to complete a “great turnaround” by reaching the World Cup.
Manchester United midfielder Mainoo, 20, looked to be on his way out of Old Trafford after being frozen out by former boss Ruben Amorim. That also resulted in Mainoo losing his England place despite being a star of the last Euros and his chances were fading of being part of this summer’s World Cup. But Mainoo is back in the England set-up for the last two friendlies before Thomas Tuchel names his squad and his United team mate Harry Maguire believes he can earn his place on the plane.
Maguire said: “I must say, he's been magnificent since he started playing… to not play for so long, as a young lad, and then he’s come in and he doesn’t really come off the pitch anymore, he just plays 90 minutes. So, yeah, he’s been magnificent, and his form has been really, really good.
"I’m sure there are areas that he wants to improve, and he still can improve, because he’s so young, really, for what he’s been through, and he’s been through a lot in his short career.
“He’s probably been thinking, ‘I need to get out and go and play some games.’ To be back in with a chance of being at a World Cup is a great turnaround for him. He’s a high-level player. He has great quality.
“But listen, football is about opinions and it’s part and parcel, and if he’s going to have a long career, there’s going to be managers who fancy you, managers who don’t.
“Or you just don’t suit a system when you’re playing two in there, and he wants Bruno Fernandes back and more of a defensive one to play with Bruno. It just didn’t fit the eye of Ruben.
"But Kobbie’s been fantastic since he’s come back in and he’s thoroughly deserved his spot here. And I’m sure he’ll go out there and show the manager what he’s all about.”