Kobbie Mainoo called up to senior England squad as Gareth Southgate makes shock U-turn

England manager Gareth Southgate has surprisingly called up Kobbie Mainoo to his senior squad to face Brazil and Belgium.

Mainoo, 18, is enjoying a breakout season with Manchester United, leading to calls for him to be included in England's squad for Euro 2024 this summer.

It had looked like that tournament may come too soon for the uncapped midfielder, who was initially left out of Southgate's squad for the upcoming friendlies against Brazil (Saturday) and Belgium (March 26).

He was instead named in England's under-21 squad to face Azerbaijan and Luxembourg.

However, in a surprising U-turn, Mainoo has now been called up by Southgate, taking his senior squad from a 25-man group to 26.

It comes just days after United beat Liverpool 4-3 in their FA Cup quarter-final at Old Trafford, with Mainoo starting the match for the home side.

England announced Mainoo's call-up on social media, posting picture of the midfielder posing in front of Three Lions alongside the caption: "An addition to the #ThreeLions squad...

"Congratulations to Kobbie Mainoo, who has received his first senior international call-up!"

Mainoo is also eligible to play international football for Ghana through his parents but could now make his senior debut for England when they face Brazil at Wembley on Saturday.

Asked about a potential call-up for Mainoo when the England squad was initially announced, Southgate said: "I think that he's doing brilliantly for a young player and we're never slow to put a young player into seniors. But he's only had a handful of games and you have to be very careful development-wise in making those decisions at the right time.

"So we think ideally, we should allow him that space to develop at his own speed. He's not at the point in terms of number of games that Jude (Bellingham) and Bukayo (Saka) were when they came in for the first time.

"But I repeat: he's doing really well for a young player. He's a good footballer — you can see that. And he's getting some fabulous experience with Manchester United at the moment. And he looks a really good character."

Southgate's U-turn over Mainoo comes after former Arsenal striker Ian Wright urged him to reconsider a call-up for the midfielder.

Welcome to the #ThreeLions, Kobbie Mainoo! 🦁 pic.twitter.com/3iM6WfKsHl

— England (@England) March 19, 2024

Speaking after United’s win over Liverpool on Sunday, Wright said: "How's Kobbie Mainoo not in that squad?

"Roy [Keane], how's Kobbie Mainoo not in that squad? Come on, man. Come on. The man was immense today."

Meanwhile, United manager Erik ten Hag has tried to ease some of the pressure on the youngster, playing down comparisons between him and legendary midfielder Clarence Seedorf.

"So I think never ever compare players with another player. Never. Because Kobbie Mainoo, but also other players, they build their own identity. Don't compare with anyone. His skillset, that is so typical. And it's so Kobbie Mainoo, it's nothing to do with other players," Ten Hag said.

"Of course, he can learn from other players, especially from great players as Clarence Seedorf was. But Kobbie Mainoo is Kobbie Mainoo. He has big potential and I'm quite sure he will have a big career."