13 February 2024 , 11:48
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Manchester United ace Kobbie Mainoo is not expected to make an immediate decision on his international future despite increasing interest from England boss Gareth Southgate.
The 18-year-old has started in each of United's last 10 Premier League matches after breaking into Erik ten Hag's starting XI. Mainoo has impressed with some eye-catching performances, none more so than in their 4-3 win over Wolves earlier this month where he scored a stoppage-time winner.
Southgate watched Mainoo, who has already played for England at Under 16s, Under 18s and Under 19s level, during United's trip to Aston Villa on Sunday. However, the Stockport-born midfielder is also eligible for Ghana through his parents and is being targeted to represent the African nation.
Ghana FA board member Randy Abbey told the Times last week: "The Ghana Football Association is interested in monitoring, attracting, and persuading all eligible talents for its various national teams. Kobbie is definitely one of these incredible talents, and the association would love to work with him and many like him at home and abroad."
But according to the Daily Mail, Mainoo is expected to keep his options open until he is confident of securing a place in the England squad, which is not likely until the autumn at the earliest. Other than the European Championships, the Three Lions do not have any other competitive matches until September.
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Despite this, the FA are confident of securing Mainoo's services. As per FIFA rules, a player can switch their allegiances at any time if they have only played friendlies, while those under the age of 21 are able to move after three years should they only have played less than three competitive games.
Kobbie Mainoo (Ash Donelon/Manchester United FC)England face a double-header at Wembley against Brazil and Belgium in two international friendlies in March as they ramp up their preparations for Euro 2024. This is before Southgate's side take on Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iceland in their final two matches before the tournament starts in June.
Although Mainoo may not get his senior chance yet, Southgate is set to recommend that the midfielder is promoted into Lee Carsley's Under 21s squad moving forward. The young Lions are next in action when they face Azerbaijan and Luxembourg in two U21 Euro qualifiers next month.
Mainoo has become an important member of the United side in recent weeks, partnering Casemiro in a double pivot. This has allowed Bruno Fernandes license to venture further forward, with Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford providing support for Rasmus Hojlund up front.
And Fernandes heaped praise on Mainoo's progression earlier this month. He told TNT Sports: "Two, three years ago I said to my friend (and) I was in Manchester and he wanted to see some youth games and I said at the time the name of Kobbie without knowing he was going to be this talent."
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