Gareth Southgate has realised the error of his ways by turning to Kobbie Mainoo. Now Man United need to be prepared for his return.
The Brazilian is back at his family home and had a floodlit workout on his bespoke five-a-side pitch. Hours later, Brazil drew 0-0 with Costa Rica in Los Angeles.
Casemiro would not have planned on a June vacation last summer but his club form has led to international banishment. His exposure in midfield and defence last season was regular and merciless. "Leave the football, before the football leaves you," Jamie Carragher advised Casemiro just over seven weeks ago.
If Mainoo's recall signals England's turning point, his reintroduction to United supporters could be that weekend. Gareth Southgate lacked courage by hastily dropping Mainoo after the friendly defeat to Iceland and it was misguided to turn to Trent Alexander-Arnold. Conor Gallagher was another miss. All five of Mainoo's goals were scored with an outright defensive midfielder behind him. Sofyan Amrabat was as instrumental as the matchwinner in the FA Cup final. Amrabat's discipline emboldened Mainoo to venture into the City penalty area to put United 2-0 up.
United had their worst defensive season since 1978-79 in 2023-24. The defence was often decimated but it was also flimsily shielded. Mainoo has the attributes to develop into a playmaker, Scott McTominay is more of an asset at the opposite end than his own end and Christian Eriksen, reduced to a bit-part player, was a mismatch with Mainoo. As was Mason Mount with Casemiro.
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