Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo has been called up to the England squad for the friendlies against Brazil and Belgium. The 18-year-old midfielder has been promoted to Gareth Southgate’s senior squad having initially been named in the Under-21s squad.
Mainoo, a former Under-17 and Under-19 international, has burst on to the scene at Old Trafford this season and made 20 appearances. He joins the 25 other players who reported for duty at St George’s Park on Tuesday and gets the chance to stake a claim for a place in the squad for the summer’s European Championship.
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Southgate said of Mainoo at February’s Nations League draw: “He’s doing brilliantly. I’m not certain he’s necessarily going to be a defensive midfielder, as such. He’s quite a progressive player but he’s had a fabulous start to his career and it will be good to monitor him as we go forward.”
Mainoo will be hopeful of making his debut when England play Brazil on Saturday or against Belgium on Tuesday.
