I worry about Kobbie Mainoo but Man United incident four weeks ago speaks volumes

Kobbie Mainoo has been told that he deserves to earn his first call-up to the senior England squad ahead of next month’s friendlies given his scintillating season for Manchester United.

The midfielder is now one of the first names on the teamsheet despite his tender age of 18 and scored his first Premier League goal - a stoppage-time winner - against Wolves earlier this month.

His composure and competence on the ball has got analysts raving, and a number of former England stars are urging Gareth Southgate to hand the teenager his international break in March’s friendlies with Brazil and Belgium. One of those is Micah Richards, who pinpointed one incident that showed the character of Mainoo.

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While he is cautious about placing too much pressure on the youngster so early on in his career, the former 13-cap England defender says the way Mainoo has bounced back from a mistake which led to the second goal in the 2-0 defeats to West Ham on December 23 speaks volumes about the player's mettle.

Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, Richards said: “It’s just his composure. When it was getting a bit frantic [against Luton], he was the only able to get on the ball and be calm possession.

“Regarding England, it’s a tough one. On ability, I’d 100 per cent take him. Because he’s dealt with the pressure of playing for Man United - a couple of games back, he made a mistake that led to a goal [vs West Ham] but he bounced back from that so you see his true character there.

"The only thing is, if we rush him too soon, is that going to spoil him? Is that going to be too much pressure?”

He added: “I was listening