Former Manchester United star Gary Neville is urging England manager Gareth Southgate to give young midfielder Kobbie Mainoo a starting role in the upcoming Euro 2024 round of 16 match.

Mainoo, who came on as a substitute against Slovenia, impressed Neville with his ability to change the tempo and create chances, addressing a key issue in England’s goalless draw.

Neville believes that the Manchester United midfielder’s impact warrants a starting position, especially when compared to the initially chosen midfielder for energy, Conor Gallagher.

“Every time England made a change, they got better,” the former England defender told ITV Sport.

“I am certain Mainoo will start the next game. Southgate thought Gallagher was the option for energy, but it was quite obvious we needed someone out there to get us playing, and Adam Wharton is capable of doing that as well.”

“The more substitutions we made, the less rigid we looked. We looked so basic in the first half; it was a struggle to watch that, and I think we moved forward in the second half,” Neville added.

This isn’t the first time Mainoo has impressed off the bench at the Euros, having made substitute appearances in two of England’s three group stage games.

England will play either the Netherlands or the third-placed Group E team in the last 16, after securing the top spot in Group C with a 0-0 draw against Slovenia.

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