It’s been two weeks since Erik ten Hag urged fans in England to “keep calm” and allow Kobbie Mainoo to develop at his own pace following the FA Cup final. Mainoo, one of Manchester United’s standout performers last season, scored at Wembley on May 25, helping Erik ten Hag’s side secure a surprising victory over Manchester City.
After the impressive display from the Stockport-born teenager, ten Hag was asked about his potential by former Newcastle striker and BBC pundit Alan Shearer. Ten Hag responded, “I think we have to keep it calm. You are very good here in England at pushing players and managers very high, and then you hammer them after one or two bad performances. I think we need to keep it very calm.”
He added, “He was magnificent. It was really enjoyable to watch Kobbie at his age. But he’s also an example of the problems we face. We wanted to play him in the second game of the season, but then he got a bad injury. It took a long time for him to come back.”
Since those comments, Mainoo has been rewarded with a place in England’s final 26-man squad for Euro 2024. The 18-year-old midfielder was handed his second start on Friday ahead of their group stage opener against Serbia on June 16. Gareth Southgate praised Mainoo after the match at Wembley.
“We wouldn’t hesitate to start him,” the Three Lions manager said following the 1-0 defeat to Iceland. “He’s shown incredible maturity and progresses the ball forward quickly. He had two fabulous appearances here in March.”
Despite Southgate’s support, some criticized Mainoo’s performance on Friday as England slipped to a 1-0 defeat. Others, however, defended the teenager.
One fan wrote, “Please leave Kobbie Mainoo alone. He is a work in progress like every other 19-year-old. One game not so good is something we have to accept for any player. He will be massive for both England and Manchester United over the next 15 years.”
Another commented, “The media criticism of Mainoo is odd but expected. We have a boring and predictable habit of building someone up and then cutting them down. Thankfully, everyone sees it for what it is: nonsense.”
Erik ten Hag on Kobbie Mainoo after the FA Cup final:
“We have to be calm. You guys in England are very good in pushing players, and managers.. and then you hammer them when they have 2 bad performances.”
Where's the lie? Unbelievable & shameless lots pic.twitter.com/96xOsmj0Na
— Kara (@UTDKara) June 8, 2024
A third wrote, “Erik ten Hag was spot on about the English media. Kobbie Mainoo must be protected,” while a fourth added, “Mainoo being one of England’s better players again in an overall bad performance from the team going unnoticed is crazy.”
What are your thoughts on Mainoo’s performance on Friday? Let us know in the comments.
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