The United star didn't play a single minute at the World Cup.

Kobbie Mainoo’s World Cup ended without a single minute of action after England ruled him out of the third-place match against France because of injury.

The Football Association said shortly before kick-off that Mainoo had been removed from the squad for the game. That left the 21-year-old Manchester United midfielder out of the matchday group entirely, denying him one last chance to feature in the tournament.

Mainoo had already spent the competition on the fringes. He was on the bench or outside the starting XI in England’s previous seven matches against Croatia, Ghana, Panama, DR Congo, Mexico, Norway and Argentina, but never got on the field.

Thomas Tuchel chose Mainoo in his final squad ahead of Adam Wharton and Alex Scott, a decision that has drawn criticism online after the midfielder was not used. Former England manager Neil Warnock told talkSPORT that Mainoo was the sort of player England needed late on against Argentina, praising his energy and ability to keep the ball.

Mainoo now returns to Manchester United, who will want clarity on the injury after their pre-season defeat to Wrexham.