Scholes: Mainoo can knit England together
Paul Scholes is backing Manchester United teenager Kobbie Mainoo to improve England's midfield at Euro 2024.
The Three Lions return to action this evening, safe in the knowledge that their passage to the knockout stages was confirmed last night, when results in other groups means they will at least qualify as one of the best third-placed teams.
As England prepare to face Slovenia in Cologne, Gareth Southgate has already hinted he may look to freshen up his midfield against Matjaz Kek's side.
Scholes believes Mainoo would be the perfect candidate to help England solve their ongoing conundrum, tipping him to start from the off.
As England prepare to face Slovenia in Cologne, Gareth Southgate has already hinted he may look to freshen up his midfield against Matjaz Kek's side.
Scholes believes Mainoo would be the perfect candidate to help England solve their ongoing conundrum, tipping him to start from the off.
“Obviously, I said I’d like to see Mainoo come into the midfield," Scholes told TNT Sports.
"I think he is, along with Declan Rice, probably England’s best midfielder.
“To have a right back [Alexander-Arnold] playing in there in your position and you’ve gone as a central midfielder, that won’t be nice. It will be difficult to take.
"I think he is, along with Declan Rice, probably England’s best midfielder.
“To have a right back [Alexander-Arnold] playing in there in your position and you’ve gone as a central midfielder, that won’t be nice. It will be difficult to take.
“I see Kobbie Mainoo in this England squad, in this England team for the next 10 years at least.
“He’ll bring quality into that midfield area that we’ve really lacked. He knows the position, he’s played the position.
“He’ll help Declan Rice. He’ll help Jude Bellingham and he could possibly knit the whole thing together."
“He’ll bring quality into that midfield area that we’ve really lacked. He knows the position, he’s played the position.
“He’ll help Declan Rice. He’ll help Jude Bellingham and he could possibly knit the whole thing together."
Mainoo keen to keep building under Ten Hag
ArticleKobbie talks about next season with United, while on media duties with England in Germany.
Kobbie has so far amassed just eight minutes of playing time at Euro 2024, coming on as a late substitute during the Three Lions' opening 1-0 win over Serbia on 16 June.
Fellow United team-mate Luke Shaw is still edging closer to a return and was pictured taking part in team training at England's base in Blankenhain yesterday.
The 28-year-old missed the end of our 2023/24 campaign with a calf problem but is hoping to contribute as Southgate's side bid for success this summer.
Fellow United team-mate Luke Shaw is still edging closer to a return and was pictured taking part in team training at England's base in Blankenhain yesterday.
The 28-year-old missed the end of our 2023/24 campaign with a calf problem but is hoping to contribute as Southgate's side bid for success this summer.