Ian Wright admits comment on Man Utd star could get him 'loads of stick' from Arsenal fans
Ian Wright admitted that his praise of Manchester United starlet Kobbie Mainoo will get him "loads of stick from Arsenal fans".
Mainoo, 19, has swiftly become one of England's most exciting young talents despite not being on Gareth Southgate's Euro 2024 squad radar until roughly six months ago.
The midfielder impressed during a tumultuous season at United under manager Erik ten Hag. Despite suffering their worst-ever finish in the Premier League, the Red Devils lifted the FA Cup trophy over Premier League champions and local rivals Manchester City, a triumph that Mainoo played an important role in.
Indeed, Mainoo and fellow United youngster Alejandro Garnacho made history by becoming the first two teenagers to score for the same team in an FA Cup final.
And the starlet carried that fine form with him into Germany as he impressed in midfield in the second half of England's dire group stage clash against Slovenia earlier in the week.
Indeed, Mainoo played in a midfield trio alongside Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham after replacing Conor Gallagher after the interval and supplied an otherwise lethargic affair with bright moments. And before England's last-16 clash with Slovakia, Wright sang Mainoo's praises.
"You say you'd worry about [overhyping] him," the former Arsenal striker said on ITV. "I think when you are at Man United from the age of six - and I don't want to boost him up too much, I'm going to get loads of stick from Arsenal fans - but when you're playing at a club like that for that long and you're that level, you're a special person."
Kobbie Mainoo of England
Mainoo was given the nod from Southgate to start against Slovakia in Sunday's crunch knockout match. The faith imparted to him made the teenager England's third-youngest player to ever start in a knockout match at a major tournament, just behind Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen.
Mainoo was hailed by many fans and pundits alike before kick-off on Sunday as England's midfield salvation. Indeed, Southgate has experimented throughout the tournament as he bids to find cohesion in the centre of the park. Initially, Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold was slotted in alongside Declan Rice but with underwhelming results.
Conor Gallagher offered energy when the Chelsea midfielder replaced his compatriot but ultimately Southgate preferred the composure brought by Mainoo.
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