England supporters have been frustrated all tournament with the way manager Gareth Southgate has been setting up his side.
Paul Scholes has been among the dissenting voices. And to be fair, the former Manchester United midfielder has a personal history and gripe when it comes to England.
Many of the Red Devils’ legend’s best years for the Three Lions were wasted by manager Sven Goran Eriksson, who decided to play him on the left side of midfield instead of in the centre.
So it’s little wonder Scholes has been taking it akin to a personal affront that United wonderkid Kobbie Mainoo has been overlooked as a starter during England’s first three games.
Scholes responds to Mainoo display
After England’s draw with Denmark, Scholes simply posted a picture of Mainoo, who was not played for a single minute.
Ahead of the Slovenia game, he made a call for England to start Mainoo, insisting the 19-year-old would allow the Three Lions to control the game.
He did not get his wish, with Mainoo left on the bench. The one positive was that Southgate realised his error at half-time, with Conor Gallagher substituted at half-time and Mainoo brought on.
Later in the second half, Cole Palmer came on to play his first minutes of the tournament, while Trent Alexander-Arnold came on at his more natural right-back position.
England ended the game well, pushing for a winner late on, with Mainoo almost providing the winner when his backheel flick led to a chance for Palmer.
Scholes has been negative about England through the tournament, and while this was a frustrating 0-0 draw, he posted on Instagram Stories after the game that he was now feeling upbeat.
He wrote: “Might surprise a few… very encouraged by that performance… at some point during that game the right players were on the pitch at the same time… think this team is ready to click. Night.”
Scholes did not go overboard, and you can’t after a 0-0 draw, but he made a clear point that he feels the England team might have found the right formula, with Mainoo a key part in it.
The teenager completed 97 per cent of his passes, with England dominating possession in the second half.
Scholes has huge admiration for the Manchester United academy graduate, insisting Mainoo is a better player his age than he was.
Neville and Keane backed Mainoo
Speaking to ITV after the game, Scholes’ former Manchester United teammates Gary Neville and Roy Keane both agreed that Mainoo should be starting England’s next match.
Mainoo, 19, might actually be better off for sitting out the majority of England’s three group games, getting a little extra rest.
Now it’s knockout football, and England must play their best team. It should be clear by now that this features Mainoo.
England’s opponents for the last 16 are yet to be determined, for a clash which will be held this coming Sunday. There is plenty of time to debate who should play at the other positions, but when it comes to Mainoo, the case has been made.
