Manchester United youngster Kobbie Mainoo is unlikely to receive an England call-up on Thursday despite his stellar form at Old Trafford.
Gareth Southgate is set to announce his England squad for the upcoming friendlies against Brazil and Belgium on March 23 and March 26 respectively.
Kobbie Mainoo (Via ManUtd/Twitter)
According to Sky’s Rob Dorsett, Mainoo is expected to be overlooked for the senior squad despite making 19 senior appearances for United this season at the age of 18.
Instead, he will be promoted to the Under-21s for the first time, with the FA recognizing him as a “key prospect”.
Mainoo has earned six caps for England’s U19 team and has also been capped at the U17 and U18 levels. He is eligible to play for Ghana as well, but Dorsett reports that the FA is eager to “fast-track” the teenager to ensure he commits to representing the Three Lions.
Manchester United Team (Via ManUtd/Twitter)
Ghana has expressed interest in having Mainoo play for them, considering a wide range of players for their national pool, but no decision has been made yet. In November, Mainoo captained England’s U18s to a 3-2 win over Japan.
England’s squad announcement will take place on Thursday as preparations ramp up for this summer’s European Championship. United are next in action against Liverpool on Sunday in a high-stakes FA Cup quarter-final.
