Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo expressed his desire to represent England in the upcoming European Championships in Germany following his surprise inclusion in Gareth Southgate’s senior squad for friendly matches against Brazil and Belgium.
The 18-year-old initially joined the Under-21s setup but received an unexpected promotion to the senior side on Tuesday.
Mainoo has featured prominently for United this season, making 20 appearances across all competitions and finding the back of the net twice. He has demonstrated impressive composure and resilience while navigating high-pressure situations in midfield.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5, Mainoo shared his excitement over being called up to the national team, saying, “I was shocked and happy (to get the call-up). It’s been a whirlwind of emotions, a pretty mad couple of days.”
Adapting to the physicality and mental demands of the Premier League proved challenging, according to Mainoo, who added, “But I feel like I’ve found my feet a bit now and I’m enjoying it.”
When asked about potentially representing England in the Euros, Mainoo stated, “I think that’s the end goal for the season, to get into that squad.”
Should Mainoo earn a spot in the final roster and see playing time during the tournament, Ghana would likely lose its chances of securing his international allegiance.