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The Peoples 2mos ago
100% long balls, 100% aerial duels: United star becoming candidate for Euro 24 player of the…
Source:The Peoples

1 Manchester United youngster Kobbie Mainoo starred once again as England beat Switzerland to advance to the semi-finals of Euro 2024.

Bukayo Saka's fantastic strike cancelled out Breel Embolo's opening goal to force the match into extra time.

Both sides had sights of goal but a penalty shootout was eventually required to settle the tie. Manuel Akanji's miss from the spot-kick was all that the Three Lions needed to book their place in the next stage of the competition.

During the time he was on the pitch, Mainoo registered 49 touches of the ball and successfully found his teammates with 33 of the 34 passes he attempted, managing an individual pass completion rate of 94%.

One of his passes was a key pass.

The United star saw two of his shots at Yann Sommer in the Switzerland goal blocked.

Mainoo tried to ping one long ball and successfully found an England teammate.

He delved into four ground duels and came out on top on three occasions. The teenager was required to contest one aerial duel, which he won.

The midfielder made one clearance and three times as many interceptions. He also put in one tackle.

Mainoo was replaced by United teammate Luke Shaw after 78 minutes of regular time. The appearance off the bench was Shaw's first taste of action at Euro 2024.

Shaw instantly slotted at left-back.

The defender made two clearances and won the one aerial duel he challenged for. Shaw touched the ball 32 times and delivered two of the three long balls he attempted.

Mainoo and Shaw will certainly be hoping that their respective displays vs. Switzerland were enough to earn them starts in the semi-final stage, where they will meet either the Netherlands or Turkiye.