Manchester United legend Nicky Butt has called on Kobbie Mainoo to boycott England's World Cup 2026 third-place match against France, citing the midfielder's poor treatment by manager Thomas Tuchel. Mainoo, 21, has not played a single minute in the tournament, one of only two outfield players yet to feature.
Butt's criticism of Tuchel
Butt expressed frustration over Mainoo's lack of game time, saying: "I do not know what is going on there, there’s something not quite right with it." He added: "Now they’re going to play the bomb squad in the stupid third-place game. I’d just refuse to play if I was Kobbie Mainoo. I’d say I was injured. It’s a nonsense game, especially when you’ve been treated like that."
Butt warned of injury risks: "He’s not played a minute of football, now to go and start this pointless jumped-up friendly and potentially get injured for the whole season… no."
Tuchel's future questioned
Butt also called for Tuchel's sacking after England's semi-final defeat to Argentina, stating: "There’s no way he [Tuchel] can stay on. Not a cat in hell’s chance after that." He criticized Tuchel's negative tactics and noted the manager's German nationality could fuel opposition.
Butt suggested Pep Guardiola as a long-term replacement but acknowledged Guardiola's recent break from football. He also endorsed Eddie Howe and Mauricio Pochettino, highlighting Pochettino's strong relationship with FA technical director John McDermott.
Potential successors
Butt said: "Eddie Howe would be brilliant. I’d love him to go in. Mauricio Pochettino’s got an unbelievable relationship with John McDermott." He added: "He’s a very, very good manager. A likeable person, plays good football everywhere he goes."
England faces France in the third-place match on Saturday, with Tuchel expected to make several changes to the lineup.
