England boss Gareth Southgate is hoping to hold talks with Manchester United starlet Kobbie Mainoo in a bid to convince him not to switch his international allegiance. Reports suggest the Three Lions boss will sit down with the youngster to discuss his international future amid concerns he could represent Ghana instead, with the midfielder shining on his Premier League debut against Everton on Sunday.
Mainoo has represented England from Under-17 level right up to the U19s and he is on the radar of Under-21s boss Lee Carsley after his recent return from injury. However, he is still eligible to represent Ghana as he qualifies through his parents. But according to the Daily Star, Southgate is ‘desperate’ to see him commit his international future to the Three Lions instead.
The England boss is expected to hold talks with the midfielder in the hope of persuading him to stick with the country of his birth. Stockport-born midfielder Mainoo could even be fast-tracked into the U21s squad to expedite his rise through the ranks, although playing for them would again not guarantee his future lies with England.
According to FIFA rules, players are able to switch allegiances if they have played no more than three matches (including friendlies), none of the matches were in the final tournament of the World Cup or confederation competition, and they all happen before the player turned 21.
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The 18-year-old was arguably the best player on the pitch in United’s 3-0 win at Everton on Sunday, repaying Erik ten Hag’s faith in him after being given a chance to impress initially in pre-season. Injury delayed his progress to the first-team, but the Dutchman – left short after injuries to Casemiro, Christian Eriksen and Mason Mount – handed the youngster his chance to shine at Goodison Park.
It was his competitive debut in the Premier League and pundits queued up to praise his mature display in the midfield. Mainoo looked composed in possession and even made a goal-saving clearance off the line to deny Dwight McNeil when the score was 1-0.
Mainoo, who joined United as a teenager, is regarded as the brightest prospect of the current United crop of youngsters. He helped United win the FA Youth Cup in 2022 and was rewarded with his first professional contract earlier this year, worth around £10,000-a-week.
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He made his competitive debut in January when he started in a 3-0 EFL Cup win over Charlton, but it was a pre-season friendly against Real Madrid where he showcased his enormous potential before suffering an ankle injury.
Like Ten Hag, Southgate has been keeping close tabs on Mainoo’s progress and is said to be aware that the highly-rated midfielder could still decide to choose the Black Stars.
The likes of Wilfried Zaha, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Tariq Lamptey have all decided to switch allegiance in recent times. He could also lose Harvey Barnes and Anthony Gordon to other countries due to the competition in England’s squad for places.
For that reason, Southgate is keen to ensure Mainoo doesn’t follow their path, although it remains to be seen whether he would be willing to hand him a shock call-up just to fight off Ghana’s interest.
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