England and Arsenal legend Ian Wright has come out to insist that Manchester United starlet Kobbie Mainoo needs to be included in the next England squad following yet another impressive senior performance this weekend.
Having now made a dozen Premier League appearances and 11 consecutive starts, the 18-year-old from Stockport has quickly become one of the first names on the teamsheet for Man United as they continue their unbeaten start to 2024.
Erik ten Hag’s side made hard work of their 2-1 away to Luton Town on Sunday, missing multiple one-on-one chances and allowing them back into the game despite a dream start, but still hung on to make it six wins out of the last seven games — and Mainoo has more than played his part.
Speaking just an hour after kick-off at Kenilworth Road, when the crowd-stirring goal turned the stadium into a cauldron that has eaten up a number of teams this season, Ian Wright hopped on social media to praise Mainoo for remaining the calm amongst the storm.
Kobbie Mainoo has to be in the next England squad. Such maturity in chaotic conditions that we've not seen from a England player in a long time. Impressed every time I watch him.
Big words for a player who’s only just made a dozen appearances in the Prem.
As you can see, Wrighty praised the central midfielder for demonstrating “such maturity in chaotic conditions that we’ve not seen from an England player in a long time”, adding that he has been impressed with every game he’s watched and simply “has to be in the next squad”.
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He is by no means the only one to have lumped praise of the United academy prospect turned first-team starter either, as fans online reacted by writing, “Mainoo is genuinely one of the best young midfielders I’ve seen in a long, long time. I can’t believe he’s only 18”, and one joking, “Ballon d’Or isn’t enough we need to give Mainoo the Nobel Prize”.
Club legend Peter Schmeichel said that it looks like he’s been playing football at the top level “for the past 10 years”, while journalist, podcaster and lifelong fan Jay Motty went so far as to say he was “almost embarrassed by the way Mainoo is far and away the most composed United player on the pitch.”
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The teenager had the stats to back it up too and even managed to nearly equal an in-match club record by completing a total of six dribbles in a league match, the most by any Red Devil since Paul Pogba (seven) in April of 2022.
Whether or not the youngster is ready to help run the show in the middle of the park for England or not remains to be seen, especially given how early into his career he is, but that hasn’t stopped countless fans from dreaming of a Declan Rice, Mainoo and Jude Bellingham midfielder three.
Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate still has a few months to make his final 23-man selection for Euro 2024 over in Germany but many England supporters, United fans or not, will be hoping the Greater Manchester talent is at least included in the travelling squad.
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Moreover, with previous Southgate favourites like Mason Mount and Kalvin Phillips yet to get going this season, there are at least two central midfielder spots up for contention.
Would you have Kobbie Mainoo in your England squad or is this all sounding a little too much too soon?
Featured Images — BBC/Man United/Kobbie Mainoo (via Instagram)
Sport
Former Manchester City player Joey Barton found guilty of assaulting his wife
Danny Jones
Ex-footballer Joey Barton has officially been found guilty of assaulting his wife following his two-day trial in the capital this week.
Barton, who played for Manchester City, Newcastle United, Queens Park Rangers and a number of other clubs, was convicted at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 25 March, following an incident back in June 2021.
The former midfielder left his wife, 37-year-old Georgia Barton (McNeil), with a bleeding nose and a bruise on her forehead following a drunken row at their home in London.
Barton is said to have grabbed and pushed her to the floor before kicking her in the head. Married in 2019, the two have four children and are thought to still be together.
The 42-year-old was still employed in professional football as the manager of Bristol Rovers at the time, but he was ultimately sacked in October 2023.
His wife called 999 at the time, telling police that he had hit her, but later retracted her statement.
Born in Huyton, Merseyside, the chief magistrate Paul Goldspring recognised that the one-time England has a history of violence.
He was given a 12-week suspended prison sentence, meaning he won’t serve time unless he commits another offence and has been ordered to pay £2,138.
Since dropping out of mainstream football, in particular, Barton has come under heavy criticism for allegations of racism, sexism and controversial right-wing politics; he even started an ‘anti-woke’ podcast called Common Sense with Joey Barton.
Back in June of last year, he was ordered to pay £35,000 in damages to settle a libel claim with presenter Jeremy Vine after a series of inflammatory comments made online.
The Radio 2 presenter sued Mr Barton earlier this year, after the former footballer wrote a series of posts suggesting Mr Vine had a sexual interest in children.
He also accused of threatening fellow former pro, Eni Aluko, after a torrent of abuse regarding her punditry online – the ex-England international even went so far as to say she no longer felt safe staying in the country.
The Hundred is calling for up-and-coming presenters to co-host this year’s tournament
Danny Jones
The Hundred 2025 is fast approaching and cricket’s fastest-growing tournament is once again asking for aspiring presenters to join their roster of co-hosts and help cover the action.
The fast-paced 100-ball format is entering its fifth year and next to T20, you find a more accessible and thrilling form of cricket, so it’s no wonder the competition is gaining a greater audience each year.
With that in mind, the need for a top-notch broadcast team is more crucial than ever but just like those who backed The Hundred in its infancy, they’re looking to invest in future creatives and on-screen talent.
Are you someone looking to get into presenting or know someone who is? Keep reading.
For the fifth year in a row, we want you to be part of #TheHundredRising! 🎤
So how does it work? Well, it’s pretty straightforward: The Hundred is looking for eight up-and-coming presenters to join their team of main venue hosts up and down the country.
Tasked with guiding and talking fans through an action-packed five weeks across all host cities, successful applicants will be responsible for building excitement and atmosphere inside the seven cricket grounds on each match day.
From player and pundit interviews to crowd engagement and interactive other activations with partnered brands, not to mention members of this year’s live music lineup, you’ll be a key part of putting out the top-quality sports and entertainment product they promise every year.
The best part of all is that no prior hosting experience is necessary – this is all about platforming you and The Hundred as a whole.
Successful applicants will be mentored by the main hosts at their respective venues and will attend a two-day workshop with special guests to get them ready to hit the stage this summer.
The ‘Rising Hosts’ scheme has been set up in tandem with their dedicated event production agency, Progress Productions, which will be in charge throughout the application and selection process.
Shortlisted applicants will then have their details shared with the ECB (English Cricket Board) who will be involved when it comes to making their final decisions.
It goes without saying that even if you just love sports or just want to find a way into the industry, this is an opportunity that is not to be missed.
Danny Jones -
19th February 2024 
