12 February 2024 , 15:55
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Kobbie Mainoo is set to be fast tracked into the England Under-21 squad by Gareth Southgate following a string of impressive performances for Manchester United.
The talented midfielder, 18, has represented England at various different age groups and has made a significant impact for the Red Devils since breaking into Erik ten Hag's squad.
Southgate, who has been keeping a close eye on Mainoo in recent weeks, was at Villa Park on Sunday as the youngster produced another majestic display. And The Daily Star have now revealed that the England manager is poised to recommend that Mainoo be promoted into Lee Carsley's U21 squad moving forward.
Mainoo, who has won six caps for England U19s, could yet even muscle his way into the senior fold for next month's friendlies against Brazil and Belgium.
Mainoo is also eligible to represent Ghana through his parents and it emerged at the start of the month that the Ghana Football Association were planning to try and persuade him to switch his international allegiance. It's understood, though, that he has decided to represent England.
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Despite only making his league debut for United back in October, Mainoo has quickly established himself as an influential figure in a team which has looked revitalised in recent weeks.
He was once again one of United's most effective players in Sunday's 2-1 win over Aston Villa; a result that stretches the Red Devils' unbeaten run to six matches.
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Mainoo has already made a significant impact since making his Premier League debut back in November (Getty Images)Ten Hag has not been shy in lavishing praise on the prodigious playmaker. The Dutchman, who up until recently has been under pressure after overseeing a poor start to the season, has already insisted that Mainoo has proven he is good enough to be a regular.
Speaking back in December, Ten Hag said of Mainoo: "If you are good enough, you are old enough and he proved that. When he gets used more often to those games, we will get even more joy from it. Because then his scanning and his speed of action, he can get such passes, three or four passes in and get switches in, and he is the player who can really hurt opponents."
Mainoo has made 17 appearances in total for Manchester United scoring two goals, both of which have come this season.
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