DR. Mainoo should be in starting XI for World Cup 32 against Congo: Wayne Rooney
Rooney said he would opt for Kobi Mainoo and Jude Bellingham alongside Declan Rice in England's midfield. He emphasized that Mainoo's ability in tight spaces is a key weapon.
Former England captain Wayne Rooney, World Cup 2026 Knockout Round of 32 DR. Kobi Mainu should be chosen over Elliott Anderson in England's starting line-up against Congo
Manchester United's 21-year-old midfielder Mainoo is yet to play an official match for England after September 2024. Having lost his place in the club team under former United manager Ruben Amorim, he regained his place at the club and then in the England squad after Michael Carrick took charge. Although Mainoo has featured in the last four international friendlies, he was on the bench for the group stage matches of this World Cup.
Elsewhere, Elliott Anderson, who is on the verge of joining Manchester City from Nottingham Forest in a club-record £116m move, has been in the starting XI in all three of England's Group L matches.
Explaining his preferred midfield formation on "The Wayne Rooney Show", Rooney said: "Declan Rice in depth; Koby Mainoo and Jude Bellingham in front of him". Rooney added: "Mainoo's footwork is a big strength in tight spaces where he can save the ball in tight spaces and make small consistent passes. He's the only one who can do that in those spaces."
The match starts at 17:00 PM BST. Broadcast live via BBC One and BBC Radio 5 Live.
Former England forward Emile Heskey said he was surprised to see Thomas Dussel trust 36-year-old Brentford midfielder Jordan Henderson in the closing stages of the 2-0 group stage win over Panama. "I'm surprised Henderson is in the squad," Heskey said.
Of the formation against Panama, Rooney said, "Against a low-blocking team, Jude Bellingham could be used a bit further back. He's intense and fast. Morgan Rogers is more suited to holding the ball at the back than Jude; Jude could be found in that deeper position against bigger teams."
Speaking of Anderson's potential record price change, Heskey noted, "You have to look past the price tag; that's always the crux." Rooney cited Kelvin Phillips and, to some extent, Jack Grealish as examples of big-money players sometimes missing the mark.
Rooney also reckoned there was no need for Declan Rice and Anderson to play together as a defensive midfielder in the Ghana match.
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