Kobbie Mainoo: Tuchel must unleash Man United star for England | OneFootball

After a thrilling second-half demolition of Croatia in the Texan heat last week, England looked to have justified their pre-tournament hype as one of the favourites to win the World Cup in North America. Following the drab 0-0 draw with Ghana in Boston, the narrative has been reversed and Thomas Tuchel is under growing pressure for not including a Plan B in his squad selection.

Arsenal 2.0

In many ways, the German tactician has sought to replicate the tactics of the English champions, Arsenal, with England, opting for an approach predicated on pace and power in transition, while looking to maximise opportunities from set pieces.

And given the success Mikel Arteta enjoyed last season, bringing the Premier League title back to North London for the first time in 22 years and reaching the final of the Champions League, only to lose on penalties to the best side in the world, it is hard to argue with the decision.

But despite Arsenal’s triumphant campaign, the Gunners invariably struggled against low-block defensive structures – the same set-up Sir Alex Ferguson’s former right-hand man, Carlos Queiroz, set Ghana up in on Tuesday. Where Croatia were willing to fight fire with fire against England, which returned them two goals but ultimately saw their hopes of a win burnt as Tuchel’s men scored four, the Black Stars were content to contain the blaze.

The Three Lions managed 12 shots on target versus Croatia, but just four across a gruelling 90 minutes of frustration against Ghana. The same issue with breaking down a stubborn defence that Arsenal often relied on a set piece to unlock reared its ugly head for this Arsenal-lite England side, just without Gabriel Magalhaes to power home a header.

Technique over Physicality

While four points from the opening two games of a World Cup campaign is not a cause for concern by any stretch of the imagination, the lack of imagination England showed against Ghana is, particularly as it is almost by Tuchel’s design.

The 52-year-old, who was a favourite to take over at Old Trafford in the wake of Ruben Amorim’s dismissal, has purposely selected a squad that mirrors itself. Marcus Rashford and Anthony Gordon offer many of the same strengths, and therefore weaknesses, on the left wing, which explains FC Barcelona’s decision to effectively replace one with the other.

Similarly, Noni Madueke was picked as the back-up to Bukayo Saka – another ode to Arteta-ball – because both are left-footed right-wingers who thrive on the counter, even if Saka offers far more than his teammate in possession.

The midfield is a blend of size, strength, speed and skill, even if it lacks invention and finesse. Declan Rice, the beating heart of Arsenal, has been deployed as a box-to-box dynamo, while Jude Bellingham is the No.10 ahead of him and Elliot Anderson – on the verge of sealing a record-breaking move to Manchester City, after rebuffing Manchester United’s interest – is the defensive anchor.

There are few units at the World Cup, if any, that will be able to outrun, outjump or outmuscle England’s trio. But Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, France and other top countries may be able to outwit them, outplay them, outthink them, while smaller nations – such as Ghana – can simply keep them out by refusing to engage in open battle.

England face Panama on Saturday in New York, needing a win to confirm first place in Group L or risk falling on the wrong side of the draw. While the South American minnows should pose little threat to Jordan Pickford’s goal, the template to frustrate the rest of the team has been drawn by Queiroz.

Tuchel cannot simply repeat a failed experiment when he has different elements at his disposal, ones which offer hope of a different reaction when tested under the same conditions. Kobbie Mainoo – United’s 21-year-old starlet – offers the perfect blend of skill and scheming to overcome a dogged defensive line; speed of feet and thought, when brute force is unyielding.

In the absence of some of England’s most technically gifted stars – Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, Trent Alexander-Arnold or Adam Wharton to name a few – Tuchel has deliberately starved himself of players who can create something from nothing, except for one.

Throughout his brief but bright United career, Mainoo has demonstrated the capacity to score or assist with just the glimmer of space afforded to him by the defence. Last-gasp strikes against Wolverhampton Wanderers or Liverpool attest to this, or Olympique Lyonnais, or a winner in the FA Cup final against Manchester City, or another wondergoal versus Liverp…okay you get the picture.

At a minimum, if England are struggling against Panama this weekend, Tuchel must turn to Mainoo as the solution from the bench. But in truth, with Rice’s fitness in question and Los Canaleros unlikely to offer anything in the way of attacking threat, a braver manager would roll with the Salford native from the start. Arteta proved a coward’s approach to football can drag you all the way to a European final, however, even if you eventually fall short to more courageous opposition.

Final Thoughts

Ironically, Mainoo began his only other major tournament with England – Euros 2024 – as a squad player, before eventually forcing his way into Gareth Southgate’s starting XI as he brought more balance to an uneven team, having been praised as “fearless” in the build up. The result? The Three Lions reached the final, only to succumb to a superb Spanish side, spearheaded by the irrepressible Lamine Yamal.

While it is too early to contemplate a route to this tournament’s final at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey next month, the recipe is there for Tuchel to follow if he chooses to use the same ingredient. Mainoo is ready to cook; he just needs the green light from his head chef.

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