Patrick Bamford has delivered his verdict on Manchester United talent and England’s Euro 2024 star Kobbie Mainoo after the Leeds United striker claimed to have watched him “quite a bit”.
Gareth Southgate is preparing his side to face Serbia on Sunday, before games against Denmark and Slovenia. Mainoo could well be within the conversation to start against Serbia come the weekend.
The 19-year-old teenager has enjoyed a meteoric rise this season, coming into the Man United side and playing 33 of his 35 senior appearances for Leeds United’s rivals under Erik ten Hag during 2023-24.
So much so, that Mainoo has broken his way into the England side in a position where Southgate is light. Not least, because of Kalvin Phillips’ drop off in form since his move to Man City and then West Ham.
Speaking on his podcast My Mate’s A Footballer, Leeds star Bamford said he has been watching Mainoo from afar. He gave his verdict on the Old Trafford talent, putting aside rivalry between Leeds and them.
Bamford delivers verdict on Man United midfielder Mainoo
Putting aside the hatred between Leeds and Mainoo’s side, there is no doubting that Mainoo has been brilliant and a rare shining light during a poor era for Manchester United under the guidance of ten Hag.
Bamford is a big fan of the youngster, who faces competition from Declan Rice, Conor Gallagher and Adam Wharton to start in midfield ahead of Serbia. The Elland Road man said nothing phases Mainoo.
“Gareth and Steve Holland will know a lot about a player’s character just from training. Young players, i’ve watched Mainoo quite a bit, nothing phases him. When a young player is like that, they just fly,” he said.
Does Mainoo start for England on Sunday against Serbia?
The chances are he won’t, with Southgate expected to pick Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield alongside Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham. It will see either Cole Palmer or Phil Foden miss out.
Serbia are an excellent side in attack, boasting the likes of Aleksandar Mitrovic, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Dusan Tadic. Instead of sitting back, they will surely try to attack England play to their strengths.
Especially, given both England and Serbia’s weaknesses are in defence. Whether Southgate looks to play a bit more pragmatically remains to be seen but only then could Mainoo get a chance alongside Rice.