Mainoo stuck in limbo as Amorim unlikely to budge

AS the dust settled on England's European Championship final defeat to Spain 18 months ago, few could have imagined Kobbie Mainoo would have earned just one cap since that 2-1 defeat in Berlin.

- By ALEX JAMES

Mainoo started the Euros final in midfield as a teenager and enjoyed an impressive tournament on the back of a breakthrough season at club level for United that culminated in a goal in an FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.

England and United hero Rio Ferdinand tipped Mainoo to go and become one of the greats, while Gareth Southgate heaped praise on the midfielder ahead of selecting him in his final squad in 2024.

But now, with England having confirmed their place in the World Cup in North America next summer, Mainoo is in the international wilderness. His sole cap since that final against Spain came in September 2024 when he played 77 minutes of a Nations League win over Republic of Ireland.