The Man Utd legend’s son focuses his brutal attack on Southgate as he is spotted with Mainoo
PAUL SCHOLES’ son Arron has taken a cheeky swipe at England boss Gareth Southgate on social media after he was spotted with Kobbie Mainoo.
Southgate was ridiculed last week when he announced his England squad without the addition of Manchester United wonderkid Mainoo.
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The 18-year-old midfielder had missed out on the senior team but was promoted to the Under-21s.
However, after a stellar performance in midfield during Man Utd’s thrilling 4-3 FA Cup win over Liverpool, Southgate changed his decision and promoted Mainoo to the senior squad.
Earlier today, photos showed Southgate and Mainoo sitting down for a chat.
This week, Southgate was also linked with the Man Utd job to replace Erik ten Hag when he eventually steps away from the England team, which he has led since 2016.
And Arron, 24, couldn’t resist poking fun at Southgate over a possible transfer policy of his should he take over the Old Trafford gig.
He said on X, formerly known as Twitter, as if quoting Southgate: “Find a new club. I’m signing Kalvin Phillips in the summer.”
Southgate is known to be a big fan of Phillips, despite his recent struggles for both form and fitness at West Ham.
The on-loan Manchester City star gained the confidence of Southgate euros in 2020, with England reaching the final of the tournament.
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However, Phillips was dropped from the Three Lions squad and was forced to face Brazil and Belgium during the March international break.
Speaking about the decision, Southgate explained: “There are times when you know your best players are your best players.
“Other people may doubt it, but you go with them because you know you can get that level of performance from them.
At this point, based on Kalvin’s performance over the last few weeks, I wasn’t confident he could get on the field and do the job we know he is capable of.
“So there is absolutely no reason why he cannot find that form. Nothing would give us more pleasure than to have Kalvin who is back in the rhythm of the game and full of confidence again.
“We’ll be a better team, whatever that is, if that’s the case, so we hope he can find that.
“Maybe at a time like this you’re thinking, that might be the lowest it can get for him in terms of the last few months, now he can just go for it and be himself.”
After reporting to St Georges’ Park, Mainoo broke his silence during his sudden climax England to call.
Outside Three Lions training, he said: “I was at the Under-21s and I got a text from [the England assistant manager] Steve Holland and told me to meet him at the reception.
“He just told me I’ve been drafted. I don’t think it’s fully sunk in yet, but I’m excited. [My family] are all buzzing.”
In February, SunSport analyzed seven midfield options to team up with world-class talents Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice, concluding that Mainoo would be the best fit for the job.
It seems that Southgate has now also subscribed to this way of thinking.
And Southgate could hand the Carrington Academy graduate his international debut against a player from Brazil or Belgium – although it remains to be seen in what capacity this will be.
The old man from Arron made his own England debut in 1997 at the age of 22 and went on to make 66 appearances, while Mainoo doesn’t turn 19 until April 19.
Mainoo’s breakthrough
KOBBIE Mainoo has experienced a rapid rise in the past year and in just fifteen months has grown from a youth academy talent to one of the first names on Erik ten Hag’s team list.
January 10, 2023 – Makes full debut for Man Utd at Old Trafford in the 3-0 win over Charlton in the Carabao Cup.
February 19, 2023 – Goes on for the last ten minutes in a 3-0 home win over Leicester for his first Premier League action.
July 27, 2023 – After featuring in the starting line-up in United’s opening games, the youngster limped off with an injury just minutes into the Real Madrid clash.
November 26, 2023 – Must wait four months to return before giving away first Premier League start to Everton in a 3-0 win.
November 29, 2023 – Makes Champions League debut, playing the last 32 minutes in a 3-3 draw against Galatasaray.
January 28, 2024 – Scores first senior United goal, firing home from just inside the penalty area in a 4–2 win over Newport County in the FA Cup.
February 1, 2024 – Follows the first goal with a stunning winner in the 97th minute in a 4-3 win at Wolves.
March 17, 2024 – Ian Wright and other ex-pros question Mainoo’s omission from Gareth Southgate’s England squad after a stunning display against Liverpool.
March 19, 2024 – First senior England call-up handed for friendlies against Brazil and Belgium.