Man United youngster Kobbie Mainoo has earned his first call-up for England senior national team in another big milestone in his burgeoning career.
Long before England national team boss Gareth Southgate picked interest in the youngster, Mainoo, 18, made headlines for his standout campaigns for Manchester United since his breakout this season.
Despite United’s underwhelming campaign this season, Mainoo cut out brilliant individual performances for the Red Devils.
The Stockport-born England youth player earned his plaudits for his composed and mature performances way beyond his age and was tipped to break into England senior team setup.
However, shockingly, Gareth Southgate omitted Mainoo from his 25-man list for the March international break, insisting the youngster needed more time to improve his game before earning a call-up.
In a reversal of his previous decision on the youngster, Southgate has now promoted Kobbie Mainoo to the England senior setup with the youngster expected to link up with the Three Lions squad for March international friendlies.
England have been scheduled for a double-header friendly against Brazil and Belgium on March 23 and March 26, respectively.
It will be Mainoo’s first stint with England’s senior national team after spells with England youth teams.
Mainoo’s journey to England’s senior national team started in 2021 when he was drafted into the England U17 youth team.
He made 5 appearances for the team, scoring one goal before transitioning to U18 in 2022. He made 2 appearances for England U18 before joining England U19 in 2023.
The Manchester United academy graduate will be hoping to continue building on his gains as he hits the big milestone of transitioning to the England senior setup at a very young age.