Former Manchester United midfielder Nicky Butt. Photo: BBC
Former Manchester United midfielder Nicky Butt has urged Kobbie Mainoo to refuse to play in England’s FIFA World Cup third-place playoff against France.
Butt also called on the Football Association to sack head coach Thomas Tuchel following the Three Lions’ semi-final defeat to Argentina.
Mainoo earned a place in Tuchel’s final World Cup squad after impressing during the second half of the season at Manchester United under interim manager Michael Carrick.
Despite his inclusion, the 21-year-old midfielder is yet to feature at the tournament, remaining an unused substitute throughout England’s campaign, which ended with a semi-final loss to Argentina on Wednesday.
