Gary Neville spots what Kobbie Mainoo did against Belgium that he could never do for England or Man Utd

Gary Neville has shared what Kobbie Mainoo did against Belgium that he could never do for Manchester United or England.

18-year-old Mainoo made his full international debut on Tuesday evening, playing 74 minutes of England's 2-2 draw with Belgium.

The teenage midfielder has been the breakthrough star of the Premier League this season, having established himself as a regular starter for Erik ten Hag's Man United side.

After making his debut as a substitute against Brazil and then impressing from the start against Belgium, Mainoo looks certain to be included in Southgate's squad for Euro 2024 this summer.

Plenty of pundits and ex-players have shared their disbelief at Mainoo's performances, including former United and England defender Gary Neville.

During the recent Overlap Fan Debate, Neville identified the thing that Mainoo did against Belgium that he could never have dreamed of doing himself.

"We say 'is he a holding midfield player?', the answer is yes and no," Neville said to co-host Jamie Carragher.

"When he goes back to defend his own box, his positions are fantastic.

"His awareness of danger and runs into the box, blocking pull-backs and things like that, is incredible for a young player.

"But also, last night there was a moment in the second half when [Jeremy] Doku went past him. He got back at Doku and got the ball off him and slid in.

Mainoo impressed in his first England start (Getty)

"Owen Hargreaves used to do that for United. Hargreaves was a great tackler in midfield, he'd go and take the ball off people. He's got that about him.

"If me and you [Carragher] were playing against Doku and he was running at us... once he's gone, we ain't getting back at him. We'd drop off him to make sure he'd pass it.

"He [Mainoo] will go and think 'I'm going to take the ball off Doku'. There are very few players like that."

After the Belgium game, Southgate admitted that the teenager gives his side something that was missing before.

"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," he said.

"His attributes are there for everybody to see, that ability to receive under pressure and ride challenges, to manipulate the ball in tight areas."

Topics: Manchester United, England, Gary Neville, Kobbie Mainoo, Euro 2024, Premier League, Belgium, Gareth Southgate

Alex Brotherton

Alex Brotherton is a Sports Trends Writer at SPORTbible. He has previously worked with publications including the Manchester Evening News, GOAL and BBC Sport. He is a football fanatic, but also dabbles in tennis and American football. He enjoys running, cooking and watching non-league football.

@alex_brotherton