Remember me
There have been summers when Manchester United players needed special attention from the club’s staff and fans after returning from England duty. David Beckham in 1998, Phil Neville in 2000, Wayne Rooney in 2006.
Each was cast as the antagonist in the game that saw England’s exit, prompting invective from rival supporters on their return and a siege mentality in Manchester. Each lifted the Premier League title the following May — part of a treble of trophies in Beckham’s case.
The 2026 World Cup has not led to anything like that for United, but Kobbie Mainoo will inevitably draw eyeballs from across the country when he pulls on the red shirt again.
Mainoo was the only outfield player not to get a minute for England in the U.S. and Mexico, a curious case given Thomas Tuchel concluded the main reason his team fell to Argentina was failing to keep hold of the ball.
“I think ball possession plays a crucial role,” Tuchel said. “It’s maybe not in our DNA like it is in our Spanish DNA or in our Argentinian-Brazilian DNA, to take the ball and control the game with the ball.”
Mainoo, sitting on the bench, could be forgiven for wondering if Tuchel had really watched his matches in the second half of last season. His key attribute is protecting the ball in tight spaces. He demands it off team-mates, backing himself to find a solution.
Kobbie Mainoo didn’t play a single minute for England at the World Cup (Europa Press Sports/Getty Images)
His performances in the FA Cup final against Manchester City and European Championship final against Spain in 2024, each time vying with Rodri in midfield, attest to his ability in that regard.
He could have made that kind of impact as England resorted to sitting deep and kicking long against Argentina, not being required to cover large distances at speed — an aspect of the game that isn’t his strength. The same applies for the Mexico game when England were reduced to 10 men.
As the days went on, Mainoo cut a forlorn figure walking through various mixed zones, often being among the first to board the team bus.
He was in contention to feature to some degree against France in the third-place play-off, but sustained a back injury. “Kobbie was injured in the last training session,” Tuchel said. “Had a sharp pain in the back.”
The issue is not expected to have any bearing on United, given it was the type of problem that usually keeps a player out for a game. But the three-week break he is now due will be useful for readjusting mentally after missing out on the high of actually playing for your country at a World Cup.
Mainoo stayed patient amid his absence from the team under Ruben Amorim, and United will benefit again if he comes back with the same competitive spirit as he did in January.
The expectation is that Mainoo joins up with United during their week in Dublin from August 10, with the friendly against Leeds United taking place at Croke Park on August 12.
At this stage, he is set to be joined in the Irish capital by Marcus Rashford. England was a better experience for Rashford, who scored against Croatia and brilliantly set up Bukayo Saka against France in a blistering 45 minutes.
Marcus Rashford celebrates his goal against Croatia (Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
His removal at the interval for Ollie Watkins in that farewell game, with England 4-0 up, is not thought to have been related to an injury. France’s high line and laissez-faire defending encouraged England, but Rashford showed, as he did for Barcelona last season, that on form he can take full advantage.
He played 223 minutes in the tournament across six matches and now has three weeks off. Barcelona’s decision to opt against triggering the €30million (£26m) buy clause in his loan contract means he will, unless a club makes a move in the interim, report back for duty with United. His team-mates are under the impression Rashford will rejoin.
Such an outcome seemed highly improbable when the loan agreement was struck with Barcelona; all parties anticipated his move would be made permanent. But with Barcelona signing Anthony Gordon, and Rashford’s £40m release clause for other clubs elapsing last week, a new set of negotiations is required for his exit.
In those circumstances, and with United looking at options on the left wing, including Crysencio Summerville, the prospect of Rashford returning, thus saving the club a fee for a new signing, has increased.
Carrick played alongside Rashford and coached him under Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. He is not the type of manager to instigate a “bomb squad” of unwanted players, as happened under Amorim and which included Rashford, sanctioned by the current executives.
But there are still complications. After enjoying his time in La Liga, can he get his head around being back at United? Will those fans who went against him come back onside? How might Carrick use him? His status means he will be a story whatever happens.
Can Michael Carrick help Marcus Rashford get his head around being back at United? (Markku Ulander/Getty Images)
Rashford’s wages, back up to full with United in the Champions League, put him among the top earners at the club, yet he would likely be in rotation with Matheus Cunha, who took his No 10 shirt.
Selecting a squad number might seem trivial, but there was a finality to Cunha being given Rashford’s number. The No 14, which Rashford wore at Barcelona just like Thierry Henry, is available.
Inevitably, United will assess the market as the days go on, but Rashford would only want to play for a top team in Europe and his salary is only affordable to a few. At 28 years old, clubs will also factor in his diminishing resale value. But at his best, as he demonstrated with England, he remains a unique threat on the pitch.
Tuchel’s decision to leave Harry Maguire at home meant he was able to start United’s first pre-season match against Wrexham in Helsinki on Saturday. Maguire was bruised by not being called up — perhaps even more so after seeing Tuchel opt for tactics against Mexico and Argentina that met his skill set — but he is refreshed for United.
Ayden Heaven, who trained with England’s senior team at St George’s Park in March, Mason Mount and Luke Shaw, who both started matches for England at the last World Cup, all featured for Carrick against Wrexham, having been able to take a break from football in June.
United will hope those circumstances mean they can hit the ground running when the real action starts in August.