- The Three Lions will attempt to win their first senior men’s trophy since 1966 tomorrow
- Wayne Rooney has bet on one player to score the winning goal in the Berlin spectacle
- Listen to It’s all about to begin! EUROS DAILY: Will Gareth Southgate’s legacy remain intact no matter what happens in the final?
Wayne Rooney has predicted that Kobbie Mainoo will score a sensational winning goal for England in tomorrow night’s Euro 2024 final against Spain.
The Three Lions will be in search of their first senior trophy since 1966 in Berlin and midfielder Mainoo will undoubtedly retain his place in the starting line-up.
Mainoo, 19, only made his debut for his country in March but was named in Gareth Southgate’s squad after catching the eye at club level with Manchester United.
After starting the tournament as a substitute behind the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Conor Gallagher, he was promoted to a regular role alongside Declan Rice in a double rotation and has impressed supporters and pundits alike.
He has yet to score his first goal for England but he has experience of scoring in big games, having scored in Manchester City’s FA Cup final against United.
Wayne Rooney has tipped Kobbie Mainoo to score for England in the 2024 Euro final
Wonderkid Mainoo (left) is certain to retain his place in the Three Lions’ starting line-up in Berlin
Rooney believes Mainoo can have a similar impact on the biggest stage.
“I just have a feeling about Mainoo,” Rooney said The times‘That he will score and prove decisive.
‘If you look at him in the tournament, he has taken good positions for the attack and I think Spain will do their homework and create space for Harry Kane, [Phil] Foden, Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham.
‘But that leaves room for a midfielder who comes in late in the game, and Mainoo gets one through a substitution.’
Rooney also praised Southgate for promoting the prodigy, citing Mainoo’s crucial role in United’s victory at city rivals Wembley in May.
Rooney believes Mainoo can score from a cut-back and be decisive for his country
Mainoo scored for Manchester United in their FA Cup final against Manchester City
Gareth Southgate deserves credit for promoting Mainoo so quickly, Rooney has insisted
“It was Mainoo who did it and when Manchester United had the ball he ran off Rodri and scored,” Rooney added. “He was the man of the match.”
The Three Lions have now left their camp in Blankenhain and were waved off as heroes by the staff of the luxurious Weimarer Land Spa & Golf Resort.
Ahead of the final, national coach Southgate, who faces an uncertain future after the tournament, admitted he wanted to win the trophy “so badly it hurts”.