Thomas Tuchel apologises to Kobbie Mainoo

Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo finished last season as one of Michael Carrick’s most important players, his performances during the second half of the campaign directly helping secure Champions League qualification.

That form earned him a recall to Thomas Tuchel’s England squad and a nomination for the Premier League Young Player of the Season, positioning him as a genuine contender to start at the World Cup this summer.

Instead, Kobbie Mainoo became one of the only players not to feature at all during England’s run to the semi-finals, watching from the bench as Tuchel repeatedly turned to Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson and even right-back Reece James in midfield instead.

The situation grew stranger still before the third-place play-off against France, when Mainoo was ruled out through injury having not played a single minute all tournament, with Tuchel explaining he’d suffered “sharp pain in the back” in training the day before.

Now, ahead of the new Nations League campaign, Tuchel has moved to reassure Mainoo that his time on the international stage is coming.

Thomas Tuchel issues apology to Kobbie Mainoo

“I expect him to be on the pitch and it’s my duty to put him on the pitch,” Tuchel said when asked how much game time Mainoo could expect during the upcoming international break.

He continued, “That was totally on me, he did not put a foot wrong at the World Cup. He was class in behaviour and on the training pitch.”

Tuchel went on to explain his reasoning for overlooking the United midfielder throughout the tournament, adding, “It was a big competition. We also played Reecey in midfield, Elliot Anderson is fantastic, Declan Rice is a very unique player.

“So we trusted them more than we trusted Kobbie.”

He also addressed the timing of the injury that ruled Mainoo out of England’s eventual bronze-medal win over France, saying, “It was difficult for him, difficult for me.

“He got injured before the France game so we could not even give him minutes there which hurt me. Maybe he was more hurt but it was my responsibility.”

The whole saga marks a striking reversal from two years earlier, when Mainoo started every one of England’s knockout matches at Euro 2024, including the final itself, under Gareth Southgate.

Kobbie Mainoo has now been named in Tuchel’s squad for the upcoming Nations League campaign, alongside United teammate Marcus Rashford.

Whether Tuchel makes good on his promise remains to be seen, but for Mainoo, the international window offers a chance to finally add competitive minutes for England to what has otherwise been a frustrating year on the international stage.