England set to fast-track Man Utd’s Mainoo amid Ghana interest،
Gareth Southgate is considering accelerating young Manchester United star Kobbie Mainoo's progression through the England ranks as interest in the teenager intensifies from Ghana, sources have told ESPN.
The 18-year-old has emerged as a hugely promising midfielder under Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford and started his 10th consecutive game in all competitions on Sunday as United beat Aston Villa 2-1 at Villa Park.
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Mainoo has represented England at under-17, under-18 and under-19 level, but is eligible to switch allegiance to Ghana, where his parents were born.
The youngster still spends some of his free time in Ghana and the country's football association confirmed earlier this month that they were keen to convince Mainoo to represent them at international level.
However, sources have told ESPN that Southgate believes Mainoo has significant potential and wants to accelerate his progress with England.
Southgate will name his senior squad on March 14 and there is a chance Mainoo will be included if he continues his superb form for United, although it is also likely at this stage that he could skip the U20s and join the squad English U21s.
Mainoo's involvement will be one of the key topics of conversation between Southgate and U21s boss Lee Carsley in the coming weeks.
Sources suggest England are confident Mainoo wants to represent them and there is a desire to bring him into the set-up, but he will only become ineligible for Ghana when he plays against a competitive senior international and the schedule this year has complicated the situation.
England have four matches before this summer's European Championship, but they are all friendlies, starting with home matches at Wembley against Brazil and Belgium next month.
One solution would be for Southgate to select Mainoo at Euro 2024, but that would be a huge decision given he has only made 17 first-team appearances.
Southgate is also only able to name a squad of 23 players – a reduction from the 26-man squads used at the previous World Cup and Euros, initially increased due to COVID-19 concerns – which means less room for experimentation and possible waiting. until the fall so that Mainoo can play competitively.
Currently, Southgate favors Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Jordan Henderson, Kalvin Phillips and Conor Gallagher, among others, in midfield. Trent Alexander-Arnold was also on England's previous squad's midfielder list for the matches against North Macedonia and Malta.
Meanwhile, a source has told ESPN that Southgate is also considering recalling goalkeeper Jack Butland after reviving his career at Scottish Rangers following a free transfer from Crystal Palace last summer.
