ENGLAND fans have banded together to praise Kobbie Mainoo’s performance.

Following a good performance against quarter-final opponents Switzerland, the Manchester United midfielder was named to Gareth Southgate’s starting XI for the Euro 2024 match against the Netherlands.

Kobbie Mainoo impressed during the first half against the Netherlands.

 

England fans came together to’stand up and applaud’ Mainoo.

At the age of 19 years and 82 days, Mainoo made history as the Three Lions’ youngest player to reach a major championship semi-final.

While some may have collapsed under strain, as Alan Shearer once said, pressure is for tyres, not Mainoo.

Mainoo had an excellent first half at the BVB Stadion.

He had won all of his tackles and duels, completed 25 passes, made two interceptions, and created the greatest opportunities for England, nearly helping Phil Foden’s attempt that was cleared off the line.

 

Fans reacted to social media to hail England’s performance as they went into the interval tied 1-1 after Xavi Simons’ stunning goal was cancelled out by a Harry Kane penalty.

 

A fan commented: “Less than 30 per cent of earth is covered by land, the other 70 per cent is covered by Kobbie Mainoo.”

A second said, “Kobbie Mainoo, I’m standing up and applauding.”

A third stated, “Mainoo is RUNNING the game in a major international semi-final at the age of nineteen.” “What a monster!”

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Another observed, “Mainoo is running the midfield. Some of you English twonks questioned him. Only 19 years old and captaining a major international tournament semi-final. “You have to respect it.”

A fifth said, “Kobbie Mainoo, they’ll never make me hate you.” Forget the football rivalry. As an Arsenal supporter, this guy is the truth and nothing less.”

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A sixth person added: “The world seeing what United fans have been talking about all season.”

Another said: “Hype was on [Cole] Palmer to be the game changer for England off the bench, but it’s Kobbie Mainoo who’s taken advantage of the opportunity.” “What a player!”

Ollie Watkins scored the winner from the bench with a fantastic driving strike across the net.

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Southgate needs Mainoo to help heal England’s fear, says Jack Wilshere.

 

KOBBIE MAINOO has demonstrated that he is the person England needs to build their midfield—and their team—around, argues Jack Wilshere.

That was how I felt as we appeared to be heading for defeat versus Slovakia.

I know he wasn’t on the pitch when our goals went in.

 

But until that incredible comeback, Mainoo was our greatest player.

He possesses a fearlessness and instinct to do the right thing at the right moment, which appeared to be lacking in much of the game.

Mainoo, along with Declan Rice, gives England better structure. In theory, at least, because it did not appear that way for so long.

You can have any framework you want, but if a team lacks confidence, both individually and collectively, you will be unable to employ it successfully.

Fear can seep in. A fear of failure. Fear of losing the ball.

 

Mainoo lacks or appears to lack that, which is due in part to his age.

 

It was his first start in a big competition. He does not understand what it is like to have a lousy one.

 

If we want to win this tournament, which begins in the quarterfinals against Switzerland, we must improve our game control.

 

Mainoo is the type of midfielder England has been looking for for quite some time.

 

He has the potential to be the glue that ties this squad together for the remainder of the tournament and beyond.

 

Read the complete piece by Jack Wilshere.

 

Or read all of Jack’s Euro 2024 thoughts.