Kobbie Mainoo travelled to the World Cup after rebuilding his Manchester United career under Michael Carrick. He has watched England’s entire campaign from the bench.
The midfielder remained unused as Thomas Tuchel’s side lost 2-1 to Argentina in Wednesday’s semi-final. England still have Saturday’s third-place play-off against France, but Mainoo has now gone seven tournament matches without playing.
Tuchel has repeatedly chosen different solutions in midfield. Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson became his preferred central pairing, while Jude Bellingham, Morgan Rogers, Eberechi Eze and even Reece James received minutes in roles Mainoo could have filled.
Sky Sports noted before the semi-final that Mainoo was the only recognised England midfielder yet to feature. Tuchel overlooked him again in Atlanta, despite England struggling to retain possession after taking the lead.
Tuchel never appeared to trust Mainoo
The clearest indication came during England’s extra-time quarter-final victory over Norway.
Rice entered the match after suffering from illness, while England needed changes during a demanding 120-minute contest. Tuchel instead used James, Rogers and Eze in midfield areas.
Mainoo was not simply behind two established starters. He appeared to sit below several players who usually perform different roles for their clubs.
That leaves a legitimate question over why Tuchel selected him.
Tournament squads require emergency cover, but carrying a 21-year-old midfielder for more than a month without giving him any competitive football feels wasteful. Mainoo could have received minutes during the earlier rounds without England weakening their ambitions.
His experience makes the decision more surprising. Mainoo started the Euro 2024 final and has already shown he can handle major knockout matches.
Read Man Utd covered the disagreement between Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt over Tuchel’s treatment of the midfielder. Scholes questioned how Mainoo remained unused while players returning from injury were preferred.
Carrick must restore Mainoo’s momentum
The situation looks different from Manchester United’s perspective.
Mainoo started 16 of Carrick’s first 17 matches after the former United midfielder returned as head coach. His performances helped him regain an England place after a difficult period under Ruben Amorim.
Carrick clearly trusts Mainoo more than Tuchel does. The challenge is now to give him a defined role rather than treating him as a midfielder who can cover every position.
Thiago Alcântara recently argued that Mainoo’s best position is as a number eight. He can receive under pressure, carry the ball through midfield and arrive around the penalty area.
Read Man Utd examined why that role should influence Carrick’s recruitment. United have already added Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans, while another defensive midfielder remains a priority.
Placing a stronger defensive platform behind Mainoo would allow him to play with greater freedom.
World Cup frustration could help United
Mainoo will return without the physical workload accumulated by England’s regular starters. He should be fresh once he has completed his required post-tournament break.
The mental impact may be harder to judge. He earned his place through club form and then spent the tournament watching Tuchel select almost every alternative available.
United must turn that frustration into motivation.
Mainoo has not become a lesser player because England’s manager did not use him. However, another season of uncertainty would risk the progress he made under Carrick.
Tuchel’s selections have provided a blunt assessment of Mainoo’s current international standing. Carrick now has the opportunity to provide the clearest response by making him central to Manchester United again.
