Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo has been added to Gareth Southgate’s senior England squad ahead of the March internationals.
The 18-year-old has dazzled at club level this season but was left out of Southgate’s initial 25-man squad, with the England boss insisting he did not want to put too much pressure on Mainoo at this stage of his career.
Mainoo was originally named in the Under-21 squad for the first time in his career, but England have now confirmed that he will join the senior setup instead.
He has not joined as an injury replacement, with England confirming the original 25-man group all reported to St George’s Park on Tuesday, with Mainoo simply joining the group for the upcoming friendlies.
Mainoo has represented England from Under-17 to Under-19 level but is now set to bypass Under-21 duty and fight for his first senior cap.
The promotion to the senior England squad sees Mainoo’s whirlwind breakthrough season continue. After an exciting pre-season, the teenage midfielder found himself sidelined for over two months with an ankle injury, but he made an immediate impression upon his return to action for United.
Erik ten Hag has handed Mainoo 20 appearances in all competitions so far this season, including 14 starts in the Premier League.
Calls for an England debut were initially met with resistance from Southgate who, while appreciative of Mainoo’s talents, pleaded for caution and compared the situation to the emergences of Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham, both of whom had twice as much senior experience before making their first appearances for England.
However, Mainoo now has the chance to earn his first cap in the upcoming friendlies against Brazil and Belgium, both of which will take place at Wembley Stadium.
