Kobbie Mainoo's World Cup snub as theories emerge from England camp over lack of minutes

Theory Briefing

• Mainoo, one of England's few Manchester United representatives, has seen minimal game time at the World Cup despite being selected.
• Competing explanations have emerged from within the England camp itself, suggesting no single clear reason for his omission from the pitch.
• The split in internal theories raises questions about whether squad hierarchy, form, or tactical fit is driving the manager's choices.
• Mainoo's situation mirrors a classic principal-agent gap — the player and his club backers read the situation differently than the manager does.