Kobbie Mainoo has missed England's World Cup third-place game against France on Saturday night due to injury, the Football Association has confirmed. The Manchester United midfielder was not named in the matchday squad for the game in Miami, having not played a single minute throughout England's World Cup campaign.
Mainoo's absence confirmed
The 21-year-old was expected to feature in the final game of the tournament, but the FA confirmed his absence is due to injury. Mainoo impressed in the second half of the club season under Michael Carrick after being regularly left out of Manchester United's starting line-up by Ruben Amorim, earning a place in Thomas Tuchel's squad for the World Cup.
Despite Declan Rice struggling with a hamstring injury and illness, Tuchel has refused to play Mainoo throughout the tournament, a decision that has drawn widespread criticism. Reports this week claimed Tuchel was unimpressed with Mainoo's performance in a training session alongside Elliot Anderson.
England line-up without Mainoo
England's starting XI for the third-place match featured Dean Henderson in goal, with a defence of Quansah, Konsa, Guehi, and Spence. Rice started in midfield alongside Eze, with Saka, Rogers, and Rashford supporting Toney up front. Notable absentees from the starting line-up included Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, who were named on the bench alongside Stones, Anderson, and others.
France's line-up included Maignan in goal, with T. Hernández, Lacroix, Konate, and Gusto in defence. Rabiot, Zaïre-Emery, and Doue formed the midfield, while Cherki, Olise, and Mbappe led the attack.
Criticism of Tuchel's decision
Ex-Manchester United and England defender Gary Neville criticised Tuchel's handling of Mainoo on The Overlap, saying: 'Honestly, we were absolutely dead out on our feet. We couldn't get out of the box. We literally get pushed back, and then the midfield players sag back onto you because their legs have gone. I think the three of them [in midfield] were all absolutely out on their feet.'
Neville added: 'You look at today, Declan definitely, he's not been right since day one, has he? That's a big problem for us. Him not having the energy and the speed to get to the ball. Kobbie Mainoo would be asking a question, wouldn't he? You'd be wanting answers if you're Kobbie Mainoo after not coming on at all. Because he can handle the ball a bit as well.'
Former Manchester United midfielder Nicky Butt went further, urging Mainoo to make himself unavailable for the match. 'I'd just refuse to play if I was Kobbie Mainoo. I'd say I was injured,' Butt said. 'It's a nonsense game, especially when you've been treated like that. He's not played a minute of football, now to go and start this pointless jumped-up friendly and potentially get injured for the whole season… no.'
Impact on England's campaign
England's World Cup ended with a 2-1 defeat to Argentina in the semi-final, and Tuchel's squad selection has been under scrutiny. The third-place match against France was seen as a chance to give fringe players like Mainoo game time, but his injury has prevented that. The decision to overlook Mainoo throughout the tournament, particularly with Rice struggling, has baffled many observers.
