England’s run to the Euro 2024 final has come about due to many factors. Late goals, a fortuitous draw, team spirit, a great individual quality.
One of the individuals who has helped England progress through the tournament has been Manchester United wonderkid Kobbie Mainoo.
Kobbie Mainoo did not start any of the group games. During the knockout matches he has started every single one.
Mainoo set a record in the Euro 2024 semi-final as the youngest ever player to represent the Three Lions as a starter in the last four of a major tournament.
Ben Foster praises Kobbie Mainoo
Former Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster is among those who have been blown away by the performances of Kobbie Mainoo.
Foster told his podcast: “It is phenomenal. He is a joke, honestly. He is a joke.
“There was a lot said about his kind of his physiology and the way that he just goes through the game and that’s it. He doesn’t seem to get too high. You have seen some interviews he did after the game, he doesn’t ever seem to get too excited, does he?
“He just seems so calm, and that’s what he is like on the pitch as well. There’s no like bluster and there’s no like theatrics or anything. It’s just unbelievable play, and he just does it relentlessly and he keeps doing it, keeps doing it.”
Mainoo was England’s best midfielder in the 2-1 semi-final over the Netherlands and is now gearing up for a final against Spain.
He will take on Rodri, who he beat in the FA Cup Final at the end of May when Manchester United defeated Manchester City.
Mainoo winning everybody over
Kobbie Mainoo was criticised by the national media after a brief performance in a pre-tournament friendly with Iceland. It was completely wrong, and the same newspapers are singing his praises.
The national media praised Kobbie Mainoo’s performance against Netherlands, picking him out as one the keys to England’s win.
Even Jamie Carragher has made a U-turn. Carragher said it was ‘unrealistic’ to expect Kobbie Mainoo to turn England’s midfield around. After the semi-final win he lauded Mainoo as ‘fantastic’.
Manchester United fans loved Mainoo’s performance too, knowing there is still plenty more to come.