Man Utd starlet Kobbie Mainoo set for England promotion as Gareth Southgate keeps close tabs on 18-year-old

MANCHESTER UNITED ace Kobbie Mainoo is reportedly set for an England promotion with Gareth Southgate keeping close tabs on the 18-year-old.

He made his senior club debut in the Carabao Cup win over Charlton in January last year and then came off the bench in last season’s Premier League victory over Leicester City.

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Man Utd’s Kobbie Mainoo is set for an ‘England promotion’[/caption]

Reuters

Gareth Southgate was at Villa Park to watch the star in the flesh[/caption]

Mainoo was then part of United’s squad for the pre-season tour, where he shone under Ten Hag, only for an injury to rule him out of action for the first part of this campaign.

But he instantly hit the headlines with a stunning performance on his first Premier League start in the win at Everton on November 26.

That left England fans claiming that Mainoo could be Southgate’s missing piece of the jigsaw for this summer’s European Championship.

And the midfielder has continued to impress since for United, including his first goal for the club to seal a thrilling 4-3 victory over Wolves.

Now, after being one of the standout performers in United’s 2-1 win at Aston Villa yesterday, the Daily Star claims that Mainoo is set for an “England promotion” next month.

Three Lions boss Southgate “has been keeping close tabs on the midfield sensation” and he was in the stands at Villa Park on Sunday to watch him live.

He is now allegedly “set to recommend Mainoo be called into the next England U21 squad” during the next international break.

And this report also states that “Southgate could even name him in the senior squad for next month’s friendlies against Brazil and Belgium” if he continues to impress for United.

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Mainoo has already represented England from Under-17 level to U19 but we reported a fortnight ago how they face competition to secure his international allegiance.

The Ghana FA have been trying to persuade him to ditch England and switch to them.

Mainoo is eligible to represent Ghana due to it being the homeland of his parents.

He regularly visits the country during his time off and the Ghana FA now want to persuade him to commit to the Black Stars instead of the Three Lions.