Man United: Kobbie Mainoo has sealed his spot in England’s World Cup squad after evidence vs Japan

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(Credit: Imago, Getty) Tue 31 March 2026 21:38, UK Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo has surely done enough to be on the plane for this summer’s World Cup.The 20-year-old started alongside Elliot Anderson in the middle of the park as England were beaten 1-0 by Japan on Tuesday night, and he was one of the standout performers under the Wembley arch. He is set to play a key role in Manchester United’s push for the Champions League in the coming weeks, and his upturn in form under Michael Carrick looks set to be enough to see him book his spot on the plane to North America. ⚽ Man United Matchday ⚽ Team news, line-ups, expert previews and tactical analysis for every Manchester United fixture.

That saw him earn a recall to the England squad for the March internationals, and he has done everything he can to stake his claim to be part of the group that travels across the Atlantic this summer. Mainoo’s performance showed everything that you want in a centre midfielder, as he also completed two successful dribbles, nine recoveries and won six of his eight duels throughout the game.

The United star is set to face a serious battle to earn a starting spot in the middle of the park, such is the form of Anderson and Declan Rice at the moment, but he has surely cemented his place in the squad with his latest display.Tuchel will know that he needs reliable characters throughout his group, and as a result, Mainoo would definitely be an excellent backup for the starting pair in North America. Mainoo’s England resurgence to add urgency to Man United contract talksFootball Insider revealed earlier in March that United remain confident of agreeing a new deal for Mainoo, despite recent reports suggesting that talks had stalled between the player and the club hierarchy.