World Cup 2026: ‘It’s unfair’ – Scholes tells Tuchel not to play Man United star again

Former England midfielder, Paul Scholes, has stated that it would be unfair for Thomas Tuchel to play Manchester United midfielder, Kobbie Mainoo in England’s World Cup last-16 match against Mexico or in any other matches during the tournament.

Following their victory over DR Congo in the round-of-32, England is now focused on a challenging encounter with co-hosts Mexico in the early hours of Monday morning.

The Three Lions faced the prospect of a disappointing World Cup elimination as they found themselves trailing Congo for more than an hour after Brian Cipenga’s early goal.

However, England’s all-time leading scorer, Harry Kane, came to the team’s aid, netting two late goals that propelled Tuchel’s squad into the last-16, where they will play against Mexico at the renowned Azteca Stadium.

Scholes expressed his disappointment regarding Tuchel’s complete disregard for Mainoo and his significant sidelining of Arsenal’s Eberechi Eze.

Another England icon, Nicky Butt, also voiced his astonishment at Mainoo’s limited playing time during the World Cup and is advocating for the Old Trafford talent to be included in the lineup 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 said, “There’s no way he’s going to play Kobbie Mainoo, he’s never going to do that, no chance.”

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.”