FOOTBALL fans have called on Gareth Southgate to pick Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo in his squad for the Euros.
The Red Devils youngster, 18, impressed for Erik ten Hag’s men on Monday night as they beat League One side Wigan 2-0 in the third round of the FA Cup.
Mainoo’s emergence as an option for Man Utd has seen him start each of their last five games.
And in the wake of another positive display, some people on social media were urging Southgate to throw him in as part of a midfield three alongside England regulars Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham.
One user said: “If Kobbie Mainoo played for a better team with better players around him, he starts for England this summer. The boy is ridiculous 🔥🔥.”
While another added: “Mainoo-Rice-Bellingham will win England the Euros.”
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A third replied: “England’s potential midfield for the next decade. Mainoo – Rice – Bellingham 🤯.”
And Sky Sports presenter Joe Thomas agreed with them, saying: “Obviously not an amazing level tonight, but Kobbie Mainoo…
“Going to be one hell of an asset for England in the future alongside the likes of Rice/Bellingham. 👏🏻”
A number of individuals have been discussed as midfield options alongside the ever-present duo of Rice and Bellingham.
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Kalvin Phillips, Conor Gallagher and Jordan Henderson have all occupied the position over the last 12 months.
But Phillips, 28, has started just two games for Manchester City so far this season, while Henderson is playing in Saudi Arabia.
And Gallagher has not yet featured at all in a major tournament.
Mainoo has picked up six caps for England’s U19s, but has not yet played for the U21s.
He has featured just 12 times for Man Utd, but is already being selected over the likes of Scott McTominay and Donny van de Beek.
Speaking about Mainoo last month, Ten Hag said: “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.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
