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”.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.”
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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
Transfers: Manchester United reportedly in the race for Rafael Leao as asking price is revealed
Danny Jones
In the latest transfer news coming out of Manchester, Man United are reportedly set to make the first move in an effort to sign Serie A star Rafael Leao after AC Milan are said to have ‘offered’ the wantaway winger to Premier League rivals Arsenal.
After being linked with MUFC on and off in the past, this could shape up to be a tasty tug of war if all rumours are to be believed.
But a recent interview by Leao may have pricked up ears over at Old Trafford and Carrington:
Do you think there are some hints being dropped here?…
Speaking to London-born and now Manchester-headquartered (interesting…) streetwear and jewellery brand Cernucci on their new podcast, the Portuguese international confessed to presenter Fred Buckley that he spent much of his childhood watching Man United, and still does to this day.
While he also admitted he likes Arsenal, adding even more fuel to the fire of the links with the Gunners, he also named Cristiano Ronaldo as his idol; either way, the ‘Rossoneri’ are believed to be asking for between £43-50 million for the former Sporting and Lille player.
A teammate of his with the national squad and having starred for major European sides, winning silverware – a Serie A title and Italian Super Cup, as well as a UEFA Nations League with Portugal – he’s evidently looking to try and emulate his fellow compatriots’ success moving forward.
Now 26 years old, he’s at a crucial juncture in his career, and despite being criticised for his work rate and efforts off the ball at times, not to mention blowing somewhat hot and cold in and around a fair few injury problems, the next big money move feels almost inevitable as he approaches his ‘prime’ years.
As you can see, many Milan fans have seemingly turned on him already after he made his plans to depart rather publicly, which has also seen him pop up on the radar of several other Champions League competitors this summer.
One such alternative suitor outside of English football is Galatasaray, with multiple Italian and Turkish outlets claiming that the club are the only team to be drawing up a ‘formal proposal’ thus far.
Journalist Matteo Moretto does state, however, that no official offer has been made as yet.
Featured Images — Cernucci Podcast (screenshot via YouTube)/LHC88 (via Wikimedia Commons)
Sport
A Greater Manchester run club is taking on a 24-hour ‘Everest’ memorial and charity challenge
Danny Jones
A Greater Manchester run club is set to take on an impressive 24-hour feat of endurance dubbed the ‘Everest’ challenge later this week, and it’s all for charity.
Yes, running on behalf of not only a nearby organisation but also in memory of a beloved native, this deeply moving event will see the group of Trafford runners going up and down hills for a whole day.
We’ve seen the huge growth of the flagship Manchester 24-Hour Run Against Homelessness over the past half a decade – which has now spread to multiple other cities – and it’s great to see similar formats springing up across the region.
Set up by Batch Running Club, who are based in Altrincham, the Everest challenge gets underway this coming Friday and will run (pun very much intended) into the weekend.
Sharing a lengthy post on social media, they wrote: “On Friday, 5th June at 6pm, our amazing running club will begin a 24-hour challenge running backwards and forwards over Moss Lane Bridge near Tesco in Altrincham.
“Our goal? To cover the equivalent elevation of climbing Mount Everest — at least once, maybe even more! We’re taking on this challenge to raise much-needed funds for Trafford Carers Centre in memory of the wonderful Jim Edward Parsons.
“A couple of years ago, as a running club, we chose to support Trafford Carers because of a personal connection within the Batch family. Bards, owner of Batch Bottlestore, saw first-hand the incredible support Trafford Carers gave his mum, Kirsty, while she cared full-time for his stepdad Jim.
“Their help made a huge difference during an incredibly difficult time and ensured Kirsty never felt alone in her role as a carer.”
Unfortunately, Jim sadly passed away last December, and so in an effort to honour his life and support the crucial care network that has not only aided local families but touched so many other lives in the process, they’ll be taking on the ‘Big Tesco Hill’ for 24 hours straight. WOW.
As the poster would suggest, it runs right past the main Alty Tesco. (Credit: David Dixon via Geograph)
Having been lucky enough to enjoy the downhill version of that very same hill as part of the Manchester Marathon, we can only imagine how difficult it is running back up it in the other direction…
Encouraging people to come along and join, or even just come along and support as volunteers and/or cheer on from the sidelines, they’re hoping to complete as many laps as time will allow and, more importantly, raise as much vital funding as possible.
They signed off by adding: “This charity is incredibly close to our hearts, and Jim will always remain at the centre of why we continue supporting Trafford Carers.”
We hope 2026 is just the first of what will become a worthwhile annual fitness fundraiser; you can donate to the charity run HERE.
Counselling with Trafford Carers Centre
Counselling is an opportunity for you to explore your thoughts and feelings in a safe, supportive and confidential setting. Our trainee counsellors are here to help you through this process without judgement or giving advice. pic.twitter.com/AkaaAROaO4
Danny Jones -
19th February 2024 
