🚨 Thomas Tuchel Takes Responsibility for Kobbie Mainoo’s World Cup Treatment
Thomas Tuchel has openly admitted that he was responsible for how he handled Kobbie Mainoo during the World Cup, acknowledging that the Manchester United midfielder deserved more opportunities.
Tuchel explained that he expected Mainoo to feature during the tournament and accepted that it was ultimately his decision not to give the youngster more minutes.
«“I expect Kobbie Mainoo to be on the pitch and it’s my duty to put him on the pitch.”»
The England manager praised Mainoo’s attitude throughout the tournament, insisting that the midfielder had done nothing wrong on or off the training pitch.
Tuchel admitted that England opted for other midfield combinations, including Reece James, Elliot Anderson and Declan Rice, because the coaching staff placed greater trust in them at the time.
However, he stressed that the decision was his responsibility.
Mainoo’s situation became even more frustrating after he picked up an injury before England’s match against France, meaning Tuchel was unable to give him the playing time he had hoped for.
The German coach admitted that the situation still bothers him and suggested that Mainoo may have been even more disappointed.
“It was my responsibility and it’s my responsibility to reward him for that,” Tuchel said.
🔴 What This Means for Mainoo
For Manchester United supporters, Tuchel’s admission will likely renew the debate over Mainoo’s standing at international level.
The midfielder has already shown that he can perform under pressure, and Tuchel’s comments suggest that his limited World Cup involvement was more about the manager’s selection decisions than Mainoo failing to meet expectations.
Now, the focus will be on Mainoo’s response.
At just 21, the United midfielder still has plenty of time to establish himself as an important player for England, and Tuchel’s latest comments indicate that he remains highly regarded within the national-team setup.
What do you think, Manchester United fans? Did Thomas Tuchel make a mistake by not giving Kobbie Mainoo more minutes at the World Cup?