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Wayne Rooney has tipped Manchester United youngster Kobbie Mainoo to crown a fantastic Euro 2024 campaign by finding the back of the net against Spain in Sunday’s final.
England are looking to clinch their first senior men’s trophy since 1966 in Berlin and United star Mainoo is almost certain to keep his spot in Gareth Southgate’s starting XI.
Ever since Mainoo was thrust into the team from the beginning against Slovakia, the 19-year-old has not looked back and was also included in the starting XI in subsequent matches vs. Switzerland and more recently against the Netherlands.
Against Het Oranje Legioen, Mainoo was undoubtedly one of England’s standout players. He was a force to reckon with in the middle of the park, from where he seemed to have struck an especially potent partnership with Manchester City’s Phil Foden.
Mainoo is still to score his maiden goal for the national but has experience scoring in big games, having found the netted as United got the better of City in the FA Cup final at Wembley.
Rooney spoke to The Times and explained that Mainoo can have the same impact for the Three Lions when they meet Spain at Olympiastadion Berlin.
The former striker insisted, “Mainoo has made a big difference. He takes the ball and he is able to keep it in tight spaces in the opposition half. He’s brave. He gets forward at the right times but even more importantly, as he demonstrated in the semi-final against the Netherlands, he has the ability to do important work out of possession.
“Against the Dutch he stopped four or five counterattacks, and when they played cut-backs he was in the right position to clear the ball as well.”
“He really understands the game. He’s always in the right position and he doesn’t just stay in the middle of the pitch. In possession he goes forward or wide and creates overloads. His relationship with Phil Foden has been important. They play off each other and have the same bravery to take the ball.”
“They understand each other’s movements — when Phil drops in, Kobbie will run off him and go forward.
I just have a feeling about Mainoo and the final. That he is going to score and prove decisive.”
Rooney added, “If you think of him in the tournament, he has got into good positions going forward and I think Spain will do their homework and close off space for Harry Kane, Foden, Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham. But that will leave space for a midfielder arriving late, and that Mainoo will get one from a cut-back.”
England vs. Spain kicks off at 20:00 BST.
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