Rice reveals he always wanted Mainoo in the England squad

Rice pushed for Mainoo recall behind the scenes

Declan Rice had been quietly campaigning for Kobbie Mainoo to force his way back into the England setup, and now he's got his wish ahead of the World Cup (1). Rice always believed the Manchester United midfielder belonged in Thomas Tuchel's squad, and with the tournament days away, Mainoo has done exactly that, earning his place through form rather than favour.

Livramento: 'He's so good it wowed me'

Newcastle's Tino Livramento has added to the Mainoo buzz, singling out the United man's ability in two-touch training drills (2). The praise reflects the kind of respect Mainoo commands among his England teammates right now. Livramento, a fan-favourite on Tyneside, doesn't dish out compliments lightly.

Fan reactions

The mood among England supporters online is a mix of amusement and mild concern after reports that training equipment, including boots and balls, was stolen just five days before the World Cup opener. Kansas City police have since confirmed two individuals were apprehended, so the kit is recovered and the crisis is averted. Fans are mostly joking that England's biggest threat right now isn't an opponent but a smash-and-grab. Read more on Reddit