Thomas Tuchel has made it clear that Kobbie Mainoo remains an important part of his plans for England, with the Manchester United midfielder continuing to be viewed as a player who can have a significant role in the Three Lions’ future.
Mainoo’s England journey has not been completely straightforward under Tuchel. The young midfielder was selected for England’s 2026 World Cup squad but did not feature during the tournament, a situation that raised questions about his position in Tuchel’s plans. However, rather than closing the door on the Manchester United academy graduate, Tuchel has continued to show confidence in him by retaining him in the England setup.
Speaking about Mainoo after selecting his latest squad, Tuchel admitted that it was his responsibility to find a way to get the midfielder onto the pitch. The England manager explained that Mainoo had done nothing wrong during the World Cup and praised his attitude and behaviour in training. Tuchel also revealed that an injury prevented Mainoo from getting an opportunity to play against France.
Those comments represent an important indication of how the England manager views Mainoo. Despite the midfielder not receiving minutes at the World Cup, Tuchel has continued to include him in his plans, suggesting that the door remains firmly open for Mainoo to establish himself as an important member of the national team.
Mainoo’s importance to England could increase significantly over the coming years. At just 21, the Manchester United midfielder still has considerable time to develop his game and become a more complete player. His ability to operate in midfield, remain composed under pressure and contribute both in possession and defensively gives England another option in an area where competition for places is extremely strong.
The England midfield already contains several high-profile players, including Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham, while players such as Elliot Anderson and other emerging talents are also competing for opportunities. That competition makes Mainoo’s continued presence in Tuchel’s plans particularly significant.
Tuchel has previously explained that he wanted to use England camps to understand his players better and determine how they fit into his tactical ideas. Mainoo’s continued selection therefore gives him another opportunity to demonstrate that he can operate effectively within Tuchel’s system.
The Manchester United midfielder has also responded positively at club level following the disappointment of the World Cup. His performances at the beginning of the new season have helped restore attention around his development, with Mainoo showing the technical ability and composure that made him one of the most highly regarded young midfielders in English football.
For Mainoo, the challenge now is to turn potential into consistency. Being selected by England is one thing, but establishing himself as a regular starter is considerably more difficult. With competition from established internationals and emerging midfielders, every appearance for Manchester United and England will provide another opportunity for him to demonstrate his value.
Tuchel’s comments suggest that the England manager has not written Mainoo off. Instead, the midfielder remains part of a longer-term project as England prepare for the next major international cycle and ultimately the 2028 European Championship on home soil.
There is also an important psychological element to Mainoo’s situation. Being selected for a World Cup squad but failing to make an appearance can be extremely frustrating for a young player. However, Tuchel’s decision to retain him and publicly acknowledge that he should have found a way to give him minutes indicates that the manager still sees considerable value in the midfielder.
Mainoo’s rise has already been remarkable. He came through Manchester United’s academy before becoming an important first-team player, and his performances earned him international recognition at a relatively young age. His composure in possession and ability to handle pressure have been among the qualities that have attracted attention.
His development has also shown why patience may be important. At 21, Mainoo is still learning how to control matches consistently at the highest level. The expectations surrounding him have been enormous since his breakthrough at Manchester United, but his long-term development will depend on regular football, tactical coaching and continued improvement.
For England, having a player like Mainoo developing alongside Rice, Bellingham and other young midfielders provides Tuchel with several tactical possibilities. Different opponents require different qualities, and Mainoo’s skill set could allow England to alter the balance of their midfield depending on the situation.
Tuchel’s latest comments therefore carry significance beyond one England camp. They indicate that Mainoo remains part of the manager’s thinking and that his international future is still very much alive.
The next step for Mainoo will be converting that faith into performances. If he can continue producing consistent displays for Manchester United and take his opportunities with England, his role within the national team could become increasingly important.
England are entering another period of transition following the 2026 World Cup, and Tuchel has already indicated that his objective is to build on the existing foundation rather than completely start again. Young players who can establish themselves during this period will have an opportunity to become central figures in the team before Euro 2028.
Mainoo is one of those players.
While Tuchel has not suggested that Mainoo is guaranteed a starting position for England, his continued selection and the manager’s admission that he wanted to get him onto the pitch provide a clear indication that the midfielder remains valued.
For Manchester United supporters, that will be encouraging news. Mainoo’s international future could become another important part of his development, particularly if regular England involvement helps him gain experience at the highest level.
The road ahead will not be easy, with competition for midfield places likely to remain fierce. But Mainoo has already demonstrated that he can overcome difficult periods in his young career. His response after the World Cup and his return to strong club performances could give him the platform required to force his way further into Tuchel’s plans.
For now, the message from the England camp is clear: Mainoo remains in the picture.
The midfielder may not have played during England’s 2026 World Cup campaign, but Tuchel’s subsequent decisions and comments show that his international story is far from over. With Euro 2028 approaching and a new generation of English players emerging, Mainoo has the opportunity to become an important part of England’s midfield for years to come.