Paul Scholes says it would not be ‘fair’ for Thomas Tuchel to play Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo in England’s World Cup last-16 clash against Mexico.
England have turned their attentions to a tricky game against co-hosts Mexico in the early hours of Monday morning after beating DR Congo in the round-of-32.
The Three Lions were heading for a humiliating World Cup exit as they trailed African side Congo for over an hour following Brian Cipenga’s early goal.
But England record goalscorer Harry Kane came to the rescue, scoring two late goals to send Tuchel’s side into the last-16, where they will face Mexico at the iconic Azteca.
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Debate has already started over the team Tuchel should pick as he looks to guide England, who last won the World Cup in 1966, to the quarter-finals.
Scholes is disappointed Tuchel has completely overlooked Mainoo and largely discarded Arsenal’s Eberechi Eze out in the United States, claiming they are England’s ‘two best footballers’.
Nicky Butt has also been surprised by Mainoo’s lack of minutes during the World Cup and wants the Old Trafford star to come into the team against Mexico.
‘I think if we’re going to beat Mexico then we have to be more expansive in midfield and play Kobbie Mainoo or Eberechi Eze,’ Butt said on The Good, The Bad & The Football.
But Scholes says it is not only unlikely that Mainoo comes into the side but says it would not be ‘fair’ on him given his lack of action during the tournament so far.
‘There’s no way he’s going to play Kobbie Mainoo, he’s never going to do that, no chance,’ Scholes said.
Asked why Tuchel included Mainoo in his World Cup squad in the first place given he is yet to feature, Scholes added: ‘I don’t know.
‘But do you know what? It would probably be the wrong thing to do for Kobbie now. He’s been out there for three or four weeks but he’s not played a game.
‘Imagine if all of a sudden he’s got to come in. It’s probably not fair on Kobbie to ask him to come in now.’
England have largely struggled for fluency and control during the World Cup despite topping Group L with seven points from a possibe nine.
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Scholes was concerned by the performance against DR Congo and says Tuchel should have taken more ‘flair’ players to the World Cup.
‘I thought it was bad,’ Scholes said when asked for his take on England’s last-32 win.
‘We brought Thomas Tuchel in because he’s been at big clubs and played brilliant football. But I feel like we’ve made him into an English manager.
‘He’s picked these players but I don’t think they are the type of players he wants to work with. I think he wants to play the game the right way but he’s left players with the most flair out of the squad.
‘Cole Palmer, brilliant player, same with Phil Foden – they weren’t in the best form but this team are playing bad football.
‘The two best footballers he’s got are Kobbie Mainoo and Eberechi Eze but he isn’t playing them. Those two can make a team play good football but he’s not playing them.’
Mexico topped Group A with wins over South Africa, South Korea and Czech Republic. Javier Aguirre’s side beat Ecuador in the round-of-32 and are yet to concede a goal at the World Cup.
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