Nicky Butt Urges Mainoo to Boycott World Cup Playoff

Nicky Butt, a former Manchester United midfielder, has advised Kobbi Mainoo to refuse to participate in England's FIFA World Cup third-place playoff against France. Butt's comments follow England's semi-final loss to Argentina, where he criticized head coach Thomas Tuchel and called for his dismissal from the Football Association.

Mainoo, who was included in Tuchel's final World Cup squad, has not featured in any matches throughout the tournament, remaining an unused substitute. Despite expectations that Tuchel would rotate the squad for the third-place match, Butt believes Mainoo should reject the opportunity to play, arguing that it is unfair for him to risk injury in what he deems a meaningless game.

Butt also expressed doubts about Tuchel's future, suggesting that the Football Association is considering potential replacements, including Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe and former Tottenham Hotspur head coach Mauricio Pochettino.