Real Madrid superstar Jude Bellingham has tried to dampen expectations around Manchester United youngster Kobbie Mainoo after he produced a stunning performance on his full England debut.
Mainoo was the shining light for Gareth Southgate’s side as they drew 2-2 with Belgium at Wembley on Tuesday night as part of their preparations for the Euro 2024 championships in Germany this summer. Ivan Toney and Bellingham cancelled out a brace of goals from Belgium’s Youri Tielemanns.
However, Bellingham’s 95th-minute equaliser wasn’t enough to take the headlines away from Mainoo. The United midfielder produced a stunning display of attacking vigour and thrilling footwork, along with a steely resolve in an exciting midfield three alongside Declan Rice and Bellingham. He had a hand in Toney’s goal, and was only denied one himself by the legs of goalkeeper Matz Sels.
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It was a performance that could have all but booked Mainoo’s place on the plane to Germany as he continued his stratospheric rise. He only made his first Premier League start for United at the end of November but has impressed so much that he has leapfrogged more senior players in the pecking order.
Bellingham knows himself what it means to be in the spotlight. Still only 20, he burst on the scene as a 16-year-old at Birmingham City before big moves to first Borussia Dortmund and then Real Madrid turned him into a global megastar.
Speaking after the game with a huge amount of maturity, Bellingham sought to ease whatever pressure and focus may be coming on Mainoo after his man-of-the-match show.
“He was good tonight,” he said. “It’s difficult, and I am speaking like the old head here, but I know how hard it can be when there’s a clamour and people put a lot of pressure on you.
“So I don’t want to add fuel to the fire, but he’s definitely a brilliant player and he’s going to have an amazing future at Manchester United and hopefully for England as well.”
Former England star Gary Lineker was also full of praise for Mainoo, writing on X (formerly Twitter): “A superb first start by Kobbie Mainoo for @England. He’s not only played himself into the squad for the Euros but quite possibly the starting lineup. Well played young man.”
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Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
