Kobbie Mainoo hopes to make use of the guidelines he’s realized from Man United teammate Christian Eriksen if he’s given an opportunity towards Denmark.
The 19-year-old got here off the bench late-on in England’s Group C opener, Sunday’s 1-0 win over Serbia, and insists he’s able to play towards the Danes in Frankfurt on Thursday (5pm BST).
Kobbie Mainoo is glad that Erik ten Hag is staying at Manchester United 🗣#BBCEuros #Euro2024 pic.twitter.com/14wq38jcfC
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 18, 2024
The midfielder made 24 of his 25 Premier League appearances for United final season and commenced the youngest FA Cup Ultimate goalscorer in 60 years as his aspect beat rivals Man Metropolis at Wembley final month.
Lots of these appearances have come alongside Eriksen, who moved to Previous Trafford in 2022, the identical time Mainoo broke into the primary crew image beneath Erik ten Hag.
Talking at England pre-match press convention, Mainoo stated he was trying ahead to developing towards Eriksen and their Man United teammate Rasmus Hojland.
“They’re each nice team-mates to me,” he stated. “Rasmus is younger like me so I’m at all times round him. I’m making an attempt to study and choose up from Christian.
“If I’m to play on Thursday I’ll must put that to the aspect compete towards him and hopefully get the win.”
Mainoo received his fourth cap as an 85th-minute substitute and already has his sights on quantity 5.
“I’m able to play, whether or not that’s off the bench or beginning,” he stated. “Clearly, there’s different nice midfielders within the squad. I’m making an attempt to coach exhausting and be prepared once I’m known as upon.
“(Declan Rice) is such participant, dependable and dominant within the midfield so once I get to play with him it’s at all times a pleasure to have somebody so sturdy with the ball subsequent to you.”
“(Taking part in alongside him) frees me up so much and permits me to go ahead and assault and belief that he’s there. It’s a dream.”
Aggressive debut and an incredible begin to the match 🤞🏿 pic.twitter.com/OpxVA4WdYu
— Kobbie Mainoo (@KobbieMaiinoo) June 16, 2024
It’s not simply Rice and veterans like Eriksen which might be influencing Mainoo, {the teenager} revealed 20-year-old Jude Bellingham units the requirements within the England camp.
“Everybody is aware of how nice of a participant he’s. We see it on a regular basis in coaching right here. He’s such a pleasant man as properly. He’s demanding. He has excessive requirements that he units. To play with him is nice. it’s rightly so he’s a contender for the Ballon d’Or,” he stated.
Mainoo additionally praised his Previous Trafford boss ten Hag who has helped him land two bits of silverware in his first two seasons on the membership, with the 2023 EFL Cup previous the FA Cup final season.
The Dutchman will stay on the helm subsequent season after a summer season of hypothesis and Mainoo added: “I’m blissful to be constructing with him, I’ve bought two trophies hopefully there’s extra to return. There’s peace of thoughts to know what supervisor we have now after we return.
“I’m so grateful for him, he put a lot belief in me to play within the crew. I can’t thank him sufficient.”
Stockport-born Mainoo additionally admitted he had thought-about taking part in for Ghana, the nation of his mother and father’ beginning, earlier than being handed his first England call-up by Gareth Southgate for the pleasant with Brazil in March.
“I’m happy with my Ghanaian heritage,” he stated, “nevertheless it has at all times been a dream to play for England. I’m blissful to be right here. I thought-about it, however I wish to play for England.”
