England Men's Football Team

  1. Little Simz, Ed Sheeran, Kate Beckinsale

  2. Gareth Southgate celebrates

  3. England manager Gareth Southgate

  4. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer holds a football while talking with members of the women's under-17 England team

  11. How 'laid-back' Mainoo can cope with the big moments

    Simon Stone
    Chief football news reporter

    Manchester United's Kobbie MainooGetty Images

    England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo's mindset could turn out to be one of his major assets on the path to stardom, according to Manchester United's head of academy.

    Nick Cox has seen Mainoo's progression from schoolboy ranks to the brink of becoming the Three Lions' youngest major tournament winner.

    And he marvels at how unaffected the 19-year-old is by the attention being heaped on him.

    "Kobbie has many qualities but I would suggest his character is one of his super-strengths," said Cox.

    "In my time working with footballers, character is the non-negotiable ingredient that ties together all the top players.

    "Nothing tends to faze him too much. But alongside being laid back and low maintenance, and definitely humble and really grounded, he also has a real self-belief. It is not an arrogance but a real determination to be the best.

    "That is not to say he doesn't feel nerves or these occasions don't impact upon him, but he has the ability to cope with big moments that come his way.

    "This season alone he has ticked off landmarks that usually take young players five or six seasons."

  12. Man Utd pride at youth connection before 'two more significant moments'

    Simon Stone
    Chief football news reporter

    Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo sitting on the advertising boards at Old TraffordGetty Images

    There is a fabulous picture of Manchester United trio Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo, taken as they sat on an advertising hoarding in front of the Stretford End after Garnacho had scored the second in his side's 3-0 win over West Ham in February.

    Hojlund was 21 that day. At the time, Garnacho was 19 and Mainoo 18.

    The image encapsulated United's commitment to youth, which has seen a player from the club's academy be part of their first-team squad for every game the club has played since October 1937.

    Remarkably, Mainoo and Garnacho could both be celebrating this weekend as England try to win Euro 2024 and Argentina look to overcome Colombia at Copa America.

    "This club is about winning and about courageous young people," said United's head of academy Nick Cox.

    "Our fans take great pride in seeing young players being part of a successful team.

    "There's a legacy to protect. It's a privilege but something that runs deep and I will hand it on to the next person at some point.

    "Youth influences how this club behaves more than any other in the country and now we're talking about two more significant moments."