Kobbie Mainoo says England’s pre-Euros defeat to Iceland has given the team a point to prove going into the tournament.
Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson’s first-half strike saw Iceland secure a shock victory over the Three Lions in Gareth Southgate’s side’s final warm-up game before the start of the Euros.
Mainoo started in midfield alongside Declan Rice in the loss and says the players are motivated to put things right when the tournament does start.
“Going into the tournament with a loss, we’ve got a chip on our shoulder,” the Manchester United midfielder said.
“We’ve got a point to prove now, to ourselves really, because we know we’re better than that and we know we can play a lot better football.
“It was a tough one. We were a way off it. I feel like sometimes we weren’t all on the same page.
“We all felt like it wasn’t good enough and we know we are better than this so now we need to come together and iron out the things we did wrong ready for the first game.
“We know the quality we have in the changing room, and now we just have to prove to the fans that we are good enough and that we can compete in Germany.”
Mainoo’s call-up to the England squad comes off the back of a breakout season for the 19-year-old, who has established himself as a regular for his club, and scored in the FA Cup final victory over Man City.
“If you’d told me that at the start of the season, that I was going to the Euros, I would have laughed at you,” he said, reflecting on his past year.
“It’s been crazy. I started off with an injury and then to come back, grow into the team quickly, and then game after game to have to keep on adjusting to the speed of play. I’ve enjoyed the season as a whole.”
