- The Three Lions will look to win their first senior men’s trophy since 1966 tomorrow
- Wayne Rooney has opted for a player to score the winning goal in the Berlin final
- Listen to It’s all just beginning! EUROPEAN DIARY: Will Gareth Southgate’s legacy remain intact whatever happens in the final?
Wayne Rooney has predicted Kobbie Mainoo will score a sensational winner for England when they face Spain in the Euro 2024 final tomorrow night.
The Three Lions will be looking to claim their first senior men’s trophy since 1966 in Berlin and midfield sensation Mainoo is certain to retain his place in the starting XI.
Mainoo, 19, only made his debut for his country in March but was included in Gareth Southgate’s squad after catching the eye at club level for Manchester United.
After starting the tournament as an impact substitute behind the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Conor Gallagher, he was promoted to a regular role alongside Declan Rice in a double pivot and has impressed fans and pundits alike.
He has yet to score his first goal for England but has experience of scoring in big games, having found the target when United beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final.
Wayne Rooney has predicted that Kobbie Mainoo will score the winning goal for England in the Euro 2024 final
Young prodigy Mainoo (left) is likely to keep his place in the Three Lions’ starting XI in Berlin
Rooney believes Mainoo could have a similar impact on the biggest of all stages.
“I have a feeling about Mainoo,” Rooney said. The times‘That will mark and be decisive.
‘If you think about him in the tournament, he’s got good positions in attack and I think Spain will do their job and close down spaces for Harry Kane, (Phil) Foden, Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham.
“But that will leave room for a late-arriving midfielder, and that Mainoo will get one after a cutback.”
Rooney also praised Southgate for promoting the young prodigy, highlighting Mainoo’s crucial role in United’s win over their city rivals at Wembley in May.
Rooney believes Mainoo could score from the back and be decisive for his country
Mainoo scored for Manchester United in their FA Cup final win over Manchester City
Rooney has insisted that Gareth Southgate deserves credit for promoting Mainoo so quickly
“It was Mainoo who did it and then when Manchester United had the ball he got past Rodri and scored,” Rooney added. “He was man of the match.”
The Three Lions have already left their camp in Blankenhain and were given a heroes’ farewell by the staff of the luxurious Weimarer Land Spa & Golf Resort.
Ahead of the final, manager Southgate, who faces an uncertain future after the tournament, admitted he wanted to win the trophy “so badly it hurts”.
