Manchester United teenager Kobbie Mainoo is the talk of the town after his stunning England display last night, as the Three Lions came from behind on two occasions to draw with Belgium at Wembley.
Having only played 23 times at senior level for Manchester United, Mainoo was drafted into the senior England set-up by Gareth Southgate last week – before making his England debut in the 1-0 loss to Brazil.
Then, on Tuesday night, Mainoo won his second cap – given a start in midfield alongside Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham. Mainoo was superb, playing a huge role in the first goal, as Ivan Toney scored his first.
His change of direction and pace fed Bellingham – and the Real Madrid star laid in Toney, who was fouled by Jan Vertonghen, Toney scored the resulting penalty. He lasted 73 minutes, before being subbed off.
Such was his display, that Mainoo won the man of the match award. Toney praised Mainoo for the teen’s character after the match – while Joe Cole was full of praise in his analysis of the 2-2 draw with Belgium.
With Euro 2024 on the horizon, and England not playing again until Southgate actually picks his squad for the competition in the summer – Mainoo looks nailed on. Rob Green told him to keep his summer free.
England lack options in that area of the pitch and with Jordan Henderson playing for a struggling Ajax side, James Ward-Prowse failing to build on his early West Ham form –
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