Nicky Butt has told Kobbie Mainoo to defy Thomas Tuchel by sitting out England's World Cup third-place match against France. The Manchester United midfielder has not played a single minute in the tournament, with his last chance to debut being Saturday's clash against Didier Deschamps' side.
Butt's Criticism of Tuchel
Butt, 51, expressed fury over Mainoo's lack of playing time and urged the 21-year-old to take drastic action. "I do not know what is going on there, there's something not quite right with it. 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 said.
He added: "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 in Doubt
Beyond Mainoo's situation, Butt believes Tuchel should be dismissed after England's semi-final exit. "There's no way he [Tuchel] can stay on. Not a cat in hell's chance after that. If he stays on, John McDermott [the FA's technical director] needs to be sacked as well," Butt explained. He criticized Tuchel's negative tactics against Argentina and noted that Tuchel being German could turn public opinion against him.
Butt suggested potential replacements: "Eddie Howe would be brilliant. I'd love him to go in, it'd be great. Mauricio Pochettino's got an unbelievable relationship with John McDermott." He also mentioned Pep Guardiola but noted he recently left Manchester City needing a rest.
Mainoo's Season and World Cup
Mainoo enjoyed a strong end to the domestic season under Michael Carrick at Manchester United but has not earned playing time in North America. England's third-place match against France is his final opportunity to feature in the tournament.
