Declan Rice sends 6-word message to Kobbie Mainoo after ‘special’ England debut

Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo described his England debut as ‘special’, with Arsenal’s Declan Rice sending a supportive message to the 18-year-old.

Mainoo, 18, was rewarded with a call-up to Gareth Southgate’s squad following an impressive breakthrough season at United.

He has made 21 appearances for Erik ten Hag’s side this term, with 17 of those being starts. He has stood out in several games, including the latest 4-3 win over Liverpool.

The England manager told reporters before the clash against Brazil that he was not hesitant to deploy Mainoo after a solid week of training.

After 75 minutes at Wembley, the United midfielder was introduced to the game alongside Marcus Rashford. He completed all 20 of his attempted passes and showed a cool and composed performance.

Despite being on the losing side, Mainoo was proud to make his first appearance for the Three Lions.

He wrote on Instagram after the game: “Special feeling making my senior England debut at Wembley and in front of my family. A moment I will never forget. Now we bounce back and refocus for Tuesday”

Following the full-time whistle, the teenager posed for a picture with Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice on the touchline. Rice seems like one of many players who have been impressed by Mainoo in the camp.

The former West Ham captain suggested that Mainoo could become a long-term midfield partner for him on the international stage, responding to his Instagram post: “Many more to come! Congrats bro”

Rice was a target at Old Trafford under Ole Gunnar Solskjær, and it was a move that the former United manager believed needed to be made.

Read More: Ole Gunnar Solskjær details the failed transfer pursuits of Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham

Instead, Rice eventually moved to Arsenal in the summer of 2023 and has since become a key player for them in their Premier League title charge.