Kobbie Mainoo Was Officially Pointless at the World Cup, We Don't Know if That's Funny or a Little Bit Sad

Kobbie Mainoo Was Officially Pointless at the World Cup, We Don't Know if That's Funny or a Little Bit Sad

England have now officially finished their World Cup run. After facing France, they confirmed that they would finish 3rd in this summer’s World Cup. However, there is one more talking point. Manchester United’s own Kobbie Mainoo didn’t even get a minute. Is that funny or just sad?

Let’s start with the facts. Mainoo was never going to start. When Elliot Anderson and Declin Rice exist, Mainoo wasn’t going to start any games. However, you would’ve thought he would at least see some minutes off the bench or even play a rotation game. Tuchel said nein to that.

Mainoo isn’t new to a manager not seeing his qualities. In fact, earlier in the season when Ruben Amorim was the United manager a similar thing happened. Mainoo fell out of favour and was used as a bench player almost frozen out the club. Similar looks to have happened in England.

Kobbie Mainoo will end the World Cup with zero minutes played 😢 pic.twitter.com/maKZhwLVGa

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) July 18, 2026

The confusing part is why even take him? If Tuchel wasn’t planning on using him why take Mainoo over the likes of Adam Wharton. This is the sad part. Mainoo was bought and many would’ve expected him to have seen some action in that case. Now that he didn’t see a minute it begs the question that his inclusion might have cost other players their spots.

The only funny part about this is United fans might have believed he was slightly better than he is. Considering both Reece James and Jude Bellingham were deployed in that position, it begs the question, is he the level they preach him to be?