It's not just in Spain that youngsters excel. In England, Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo (19 years old) has been praised.
Short version
- Manchester United's Kobe Mainoo (19 years old) receives harsh criticism after his performance in the European Championship semi-final against the Netherlands.
- England manager Gareth Southgate has praised Mainoo for his outstanding performances despite his young age.
- Maino was praised by the English press, with many major newspapers giving him top marks and describing him as the best in the field.
- Mainoo made his England debut last March and has already established himself as an important player for Southgate.
“I think all his performances have been exceptional, especially when you take his age into account,” Gareth Southgate said of Kobbie Mainoo after the semi-final win over Holland.
The national team coach led England to a second successive European Championship final and was full of praise for Manchester United's talent.
– We haven't had a player like him yet. It makes a big difference when midfielders can receive the ball while pressing and turn around with ease and comfort.
Also in the English press, the midfielder was voted the greatest player of the match.
The Sun, The Guardian and Sky Sports all gave Mainoo eight out of ten in their post-match ratings, calling him the best on the pitch. On the BBC, he got 7.45 out of ten, and Goal and The Independent also gave him seven out of ten.
On Metro and TalkSport, Mainoo is given nine out of ten.
When Mainoo was replaced by Conor Gallagher after Watkins' winning goal, he received a standing ovation from the England fans.
This was Mainoo's eighth cap for England. He only made his debut in March this year. Five of those eight caps came in this year's EC Championship.
“My trip to England ended quickly. But I took it day by day, game by game. And now we are in the European Championship final,” says the Manchester United player.
A year ago, few people knew about the player who at the time had played just ten minutes in the Premier League.
He has had a great season with Manchester United and has played 24 matches in the English Premier League.
Yesterday he became the youngest player in England history to play in a semi-final. Even before the game, Mainoo was being highlighted as a key piece of Southgate's 'new England'.
“He does things that took me ten years to learn,” former Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane said after England’s win over Slovakia at the European Championship.
Manchester United will meet Rosenborg in Lerkendal on Monday 15 July. You can watch that match on VG+ Sport:
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