Kobbie Mainoo true colours shown as England star admits to Erik ten Hag disagreement
Kobbie Mainoo has revealed that he and Erik ten Hag had a major difference of opinion last season. Mainoo, 19, emerged as a beacon of hope in Manchester United's lacklustre 2023/24 campaign and is poised to play a pivotal role for England, with Gareth Southgate set to feature him in the starting line-up against Slovakia on Sunday night.
The talented midfielder first turned heads with his dazzling performances during United's pre-season tour last year. He was quickly tipped for a promotion to the first team, but an unfortunate ankle injury delayed his ascent, keeping him out of action for the initial months of the campaign.
Upon regaining fitness in October, Ten Hag, who is close to sealing a new deal at Old Trafford, chose to keep Mainoo with the U21s, a decision that initially disappointed the young star.
Related articles England team news 'leaked' as Gareth Southgate drops star for Slovakia tie Kobbie Mainoo terrorises Liverpool star in England Euro 2024 training function loadOvpScript(){let el=document.createElement('script');el.setAttribute('src','https://live.primis.tech/live/liveView.php?s=114291&playerApiId=v114291');document.getElementById('ovp-primis').appendChild(el)} window.top.addEventListener('primisPlayerInit',e=>{try{if(e.detail&&e.detail.playerApiId==="v114291"){if(window.document.getElementsByClassName('jwplayer')[0]){e.detail.float('disable')}}}catch(e){}});window.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded',()=>{setTimeout(()=>{if(typeof flagTcfLoaded!=='undefined'&&flagTcfLoaded===!0){loadOvpScript() ExpressApp.Log('[Load] OVP flagTcfLoaded',new Date())}else{document.addEventListener("tcfLoaded",()=>{loadOvpScript() ExpressApp.Log('[Load] OVP tcfLoaded',new Date())})}},1500)})However, speaking to ITV Sport, Mainoo showed his true colours by displaying a great deal of maturity, reflecting on the situation and conceding that it ultimately served his development well.
"I felt ready," he confessed. "Coming back from the injury, the manager wanted me to play a lot of U21s games, which I understood, but it was also frustrating because I felt like I was ready to make the step up [to the first team].
"But when I look back on it now it was the best thing for me, and it made me the most ready I could have been for my first opportunity."
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Mainoo's breakthrough at United has been nothing short of meteoric, with his senior debut in a 3-0 thrashing of Everton marking the start of an impressive run in Erik ten Hag's squad. Despite missing a couple of games in December, Mainoo became a fixture in the team, starting all but one of the Red Devils' final 28 matches of the season across all competitions.
Reflecting on an extraordinary eight months that saw him net the decisive goal in the FA Cup final against Manchester City and earn a spot in England's Euro 2024 squad, Mainoo expressed his awe: "It's been unbelievable... I think I've worked hard this season. I never would have thought I'd be [at the Euros], but I always backed myself."
Despite initially warming the bench at the Euros, Mainoo's standout cameo against Slovenia had fans clamouring for Southgate to start him in upcoming games, and reports suggest he just might.
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As England and Mainoo look ahead, it remains to be seen if he can replicate his club success on the international stage. Yet, Mainoo's confidence is unwavering, as he insists on seizing every opportunity: "Whenever I get a chance to play I give it 100% every time," he added.
"That's what my parents have always said to me, when you get your chance you have to grab it with both hands. [Playing for England] is feeling better and better every time, so I think it'll only get better from here."
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Kobbie Mainoo true colours shown as England star admits to Erik ten Hag disagreement
Kobbie Mainoo true colours shown as England star admits to Erik ten Hag disagreement
Kobbie Mainoo true colours shown as England star admits to Erik ten Hag disagreement
Kobbie Mainoo true colours shown as England star admits to Erik ten Hag disagreement
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