MX23RW : Sunday, January 19 06:24:17| >> :120:15655:15655:

Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo joins Duncan Edwards, Marcus Rashford in elite group

Man United's Kobbie Mainoo joins Duncan Edwards, Marcus Rashford in elite group
© Reuters
Kobbie Mainoo became the third-youngest Manchester United player to start a game for England in Tuesday's international friendly with Belgium.

Kobbie Mainoo became the third-youngest Manchester United player to start a game for England when he was named in the Three Lions XI against Belgium on Tuesday night.

The midfielder made his debut for Gareth Southgate's side off the bench in Saturday's clash with Brazil.

Mainoo was then handed his full international debut on Tuesday, with Southgate naming the teenager in the starting side for the friendly with Belgium at Wembley.

Aged 18 years and 342 days, he became the third-youngest Man United player to start a match for England, behind Duncan Edwards and Marcus Rashford.

Edwards was 18 years and 183 days old when he first started for England, while Rashford was 18 years and 209 days old on his first start for his country.

Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo on February 1, 2024© Reuters

Mainoo played 74 minutes of what proved to be a 2-2 draw against Belgium, and the teenager's performances over the international break would have put him firmly in Southgate's thoughts for Euro 2024.

The midfielder will now head back to his club to prepare for Saturday's Premier League game against Brentford, where he will be bidding to make his 15th league appearance of the campaign.

"He gives us a different profile of midfield player to anything else we've got and we're really pleased with what he's done," Southgate told reporters when discussing the teenager's display.

"You can't believe his age really. His attributes are there for everybody to see, that ability to receive under pressure and ride challenges, to manipulate the ball in tight areas."

England's Jude Bellingham celebrates scoring their second goal on March 26, 2024© Reuters

Meanwhile, England midfielder Jude Bellingham, who netted his country's late leveller against Belgium, was also full of praise for Mainoo on Tuesday night.

"He was good tonight," said the Real Madrid midfielder. "It's difficult, and I am speaking like the old head here, but I know how hard it can be when there's a clamour and people put a lot of pressure on you.

"So I don't want to add fuel to the fire, but he's definitely a brilliant player and he's going to have an amazing future at Manchester United and hopefully for England as well."

Mainoo's performances this season could allegedly lead to him penning a new and improved contract with Man United in the near future.

ID:539822:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect4275:
Written by
Matt Law

Click here for more stories about Duncan Edwards

Click here for more stories about Manchester United

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo on February 1, 2024
Read Next:
Manchester United starlet 'to make full international debut on Tuesday'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
1am
Washington
@
Lions
8pm
Rams
@
Eagles
11.30pm
Ravens
@
Bills
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool21155150203050
2Arsenal22128243212244
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest21125430201041
4Newcastle UnitedNewcastle22115638261238
5Chelsea21107441261537
6Bournemouth22107536261037
7Aston Villa2210663334-136
8Manchester CityMan City2110563829935
9Fulham228953430433
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2171043229331
11Brentford2284104039128
12Crystal Palace226972528-327
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd217592629-326
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham2275102743-1626
15Tottenham HotspurSpurs21731143321124
16Everton203891526-1117
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2144133148-1716
18Ipswich TownIpswich2137112037-1716
19Leicester CityLeicester2235142348-2514
20Southampton2113171347-346


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!