Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo has shared his reasons for opting to represent England instead of Ghana, his birth country.
Speaking during his international duty at the Euro 2024 tournament in Germany, the 19-year-old emphasized his respect for his Ghanaian roots but highlighted that playing for England has always been his dream.
“I am proud of my Ghanaian heritage and there was speculation, but it has always been a dream to play for England. I am happy to be here. It was considered, but I wanted to play for England,” Mainoo explained.
In addition to his national team choice, Mainoo addressed Manchester United’s decision to retain Erik Ten Hag as the club’s manager, despite rumors suggesting otherwise.
Kobbie Mainoo on Erik Ten Hag
“Obviously happy to be building with him. He’s already got two trophies and hopefully, there are more to come. It is nice to have that peace of mind, that we know what manager we are going back to in the new season.”
He further expressed his gratitude towards Ten Hag, stating, “I am so grateful for him, that he put so much trust in me and belief in me to play in the team. I can’t thank him enough.”
Mainoo debuted for England’s senior team in March 2024, impressing Gareth Southgate enough to secure a spot in the Euro 2024 squad. The young midfielder made his first tournament appearance as a late substitute in England’s 1-0 Group C win on Sunday.
“I’m proud of my Ghanaian heritage but it was a dream to play for England” 💬
AdvertisementKobbie Mainoo says he only wanted to play for England despite being eligible for Ghana 🏴 pic.twitter.com/RlPS2R5aRU
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) June 18, 2024
