Former Manchester United defender Wes Brown believes that Gareth Southgate must have had one reaction to seeing Kobbie Mainoo’s recent England performance at Euro 2024.
Manchester United star Kobbie Mainoo earned widespread praise in the 2023-24 season after his breakout campaign at Old Trafford.
Mainoo established himself as a key midfield figure for Erik ten Hag and the 19-year-old impressed for United, despite his lack of first-team experience at the time.
The United midfielder started all 24 of his Premier League appearances last season, with Mainoo scoring three times and registering a single assist for his club.
Mainoo’s impressive season with United earned him his England senior call-up during the March international break, despite Gareth Southgate initially snubbing him.
England boss Southgate made the decision to take Mainoo to Euro 2024 in Germany and the United star impressed against Slovakia in the round of 16.
Brown talks Southgate and Mainoo
Kobbie Mainoo’s playing time was initially limited at this summer’s Euros ahead of England reaching the knockout stages.
The Stockport-born player managed only four minutes against Serbia in the Group C opener before he was an unused substitute in the 1-1 draw against Denmark.
Mainoo saw more minutes in the 0-0 draw against Slovenia, with the United star replacing England teammate Conor Gallagher at the break.
The England international made his first start for the Three Lions at Euro 2024 in the 2-1 comeback win against Slovakia in the last 16 on Sunday.
Mainoo was partnered alongside Declan Rice in midfield and impressed with his overall performance before he was subbed off in the 84th minute.
Speaking on the Euro Thrash podcast, Wes Brown suggested that Gareth Southgate will be well aware of the impact that Mainoo had with his display against Slovakia.
“He has come in and he’s done what he does at United,” he said.
“He is very calm, wants the ball anywhere, not afraid to play it forward and get involved and run forward into areas.
“If you are a United fan, you wanted him in there from the beginning but I think Gareth [Southgate] has seen that performance and gone, ‘I’ve got a player.’ He’s very comfortable and he’s very different to [Conor] Gallagher in that sense.
“I think he settled England, he’s got a nice rhythm with [Declan] Rice in there and it’s working better with Kobbie rather than Gallagher.”
Mainoo ready for more England starts
Southgate will be expected to stick with Mainoo in midfield for England’s quarter-final clash against Switzerland on Saturday.
Mainoo already proved ahead of the Slovakia match that he was ready to start for the Three Lions at Euro 2024.
When asked if the Slovakia match was the biggest of his career so far, he told ITV Sport ahead of the tie: “Yes, probably.
“Do I relish it? Yes, that is what you play football for, the big occasions. You don’t win anything big unless you play in the big occasions.
“I feel I want to be a great player and great players are made in those big occasions so I have to do my best whenever they come about.
“Whenever I get a chance to play, I try and give it 100 per cent every time, that is what my dad always said to me, my parents always said to grab a chance with both hands.
“I have to do my best whenever they come about.”