July 11th 2024.
On Wednesday, Mainoo's impressive journey continued as he played a crucial role in England's Euro 2024 semi-final win. Gareth Southgate, the England manager, praised his young midfielder, acknowledging that he has never had someone like him on his team before. Mainoo, just 19 years old, was brought into the starting lineup for the knockout games against Slovakia and Switzerland, alongside Declan Rice.
Despite being in just his first season at Manchester United, Mainoo has already made a name for himself and showed why he deserved a spot in the England squad. In the semi-final against the Netherlands, he put on a stellar performance, helping England secure a spot in the final against Spain with a last-minute goal from Ollie Watkins. Southgate was impressed with Mainoo's performance and believes he will be a key player in the final.
In the first half of the game, England completely dominated the Netherlands, even though they fell behind early on. Mainoo was at the heart of their dominance, showing maturity and skill beyond his years. He controlled possession and was a constant threat with the ball, linking up well with Phil Foden to trouble the Dutch defense.
Southgate had initially experimented with Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield, trying to find a replacement for key players like Jordan Henderson and Kalvin Phillips, who were left out of the squad for this tournament. However, Mainoo has now proven himself to be a valuable addition to the team, filling a void that had been missing in previous competitions.
Mainoo only made his debut for England in March, but has already made a significant impact. Southgate praised his exceptional performances, especially considering his young age. He highlighted Mainoo's ability to receive and turn with the ball under pressure, which is a vital skill in midfield. Together with Foden and Jude Bellingham, Mainoo's movement caused problems for the Dutch defense and forced them to change their tactics.
It is almost certain that Mainoo will start in the final on Sunday, a remarkable achievement for someone who made his full Premier League debut for Manchester United just a few months ago in November. He quickly became a key player for the team, scoring memorable goals against Wolves and Liverpool, and even finding the back of the net in the FA Cup final against Manchester City.
Reflecting on his journey, Mainoo described the feeling as "indescribable." He acknowledged that it has been a quick rise to success, but he has been taking it one day at a time and one game at a time. He expressed his excitement for reaching the European Championship final and believes that the team has built on their previous performances to reach this point. He also added that the team's goal is to make history and that they are ready to take on any challenges that come their way.
Mainoo also praised the team's performance in the semi-final, especially in the first half. He mentioned the great chemistry and movement between himself, Phil Foden, Declan Rice, and Jude Bellingham, which helped them control the game from the midfield. In the second half, they had to dig deep and grind out the win, but the entire squad played their part, including substitutes Cole and Ollie, who made a significant impact on the game. Mainoo concluded by congratulating Ollie on his stunning game-winning goal, which sealed their spot in the final.
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