Manager Thomas Tuchel brings in Jordan Henderson in place of Koby Mainu (Image: Getty Images)
Manchester United midfielder Koby Mainu was once again overlooked by manager Thomas Tuchel during England’s final World Cup group stage match against Panama. Tuchel brought on Jordan Henderson in the 84th minute, but Maynou was left out as a substitute throughout. Henderson’s inclusion in England’s World Cup squad had already been controversial. The 36-year-old returned to the Premier League with Brentford last year after spells at Ajax and Al Etifaq.
Mainu has worked tirelessly to earn his place in the England squad, but it is even more frustrating that he has yet to play a single minute. The Stockport-born midfielder is one of only three outfield players in the squad still on the pitch, alongside Trevor Chalovar and Ivan Toney. Mainu did not feature in United’s Premier League starting XI until manager Ruben Amorim was sacked in January. Michael Carrick wasted no time in reintegrating him into the team and his brilliant form throughout the second half of the season was enough to secure him a place in England’s World Cup squad.
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“I mean, obviously there were some difficult times,” Mainoo told reporters in the United States, recalling the first difficult months of the campaign.
“But I just tried to stay focused on what was in front of me, took things day by day, kept honing my craft, kept working hard for the team. And I was hoping the rest would come. Thankfully, it did.”
Asked if Carrick could take some of the credit for his World Cup call-up, he said: “I definitely told him I was very grateful, because if he hadn’t put me on the pitch I wouldn’t be here so I’ll always be grateful to him for that.”
Harry Maguire has become the first United player to take offense at Tuchel’s treatment after being left out of the World Cup squad completely. But now I’m starting to feel that Mainu has also done quite a bit of work. why isn’t he playing?
Henderson proved to be a valuable asset for Brentford last season, but anyone who watched both him and Maynou in the Premier League will wonder why he was selected ahead of the Manchester United youngster against Panama.
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Koby Mainu has yet to play a minute in the World Cup (Image: Getty Images)
The former Liverpool midfielder was chosen for the leadership qualities he brings to the dressing room and is widely reported to share a deep bond with Jude Bellingham.
Nevertheless, he represents England’s past and Maynou looks likely to be a cornerstone of England’s future. Tuchel made it clear at the opening press conference that Maynou has a real role to play at the World Cup.
“We have quite a few players on this team that will compete for starting time and starting spots. (It) also gives us a chance to rotate at a high level, and we also have quite a few players who will take on (sporting) responsibilities at the highest level,” he said.
“We have a lot of youth in our team. We have six players who have won titles in the under-21 team. We have Coby who is still young and has won titles (and) up top we have Nico O’Reilly who is young and has already won a medal.”
Mainu was on the bench the entire time, while O’Reilly started two games and came on as a substitute in the other.
The irony is that Mainoo possessed the very qualities that could have proved invaluable to England in the games against Panama and Ghana. In the latter case in particular, it was frustrating as they were unable to break down the resolute defensive block.
It was a puzzling sight to see Henderson take to the pitch before Mainu. Perhaps Tuchel will make amends by bringing him off the bench in the knockout stages.
