Kobbie Mainoo promise made after manager claimed he'd 'love to work' with Manchester United ace

Gareth Southgate admits he is excited by the potential of Manchester United's teenage star Kobbie Mainoo and will continue to assess all players ahead of England's final batch of friendlies before this summer's European Championship.

Mainoo, a product of United's academy, has started 11 of United's last 13 league outings since making his Premier League debut against Everton at Goodison Park in November.

In the absence of five-time Champions League winner Casemiro, who missed nearly three months of action through injury, the 18-year-old has primarily played in a deeper-lying midfield role for the Reds and earlier this month scored a stunning, last-gasp winner against Wolverhampton Wanderers to keep alive Erik ten Hag's side's hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.

In the aftermath of his breakout campaign, the Ghanaian Football Association earlier this week expressed their eagerness to tie down the United midfielder to the Black Stars.

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Speaking after England's Nations League draw in Paris on Thursday, Southgate heaped praise on Mainoo's recent form at Old Trafford and said he will watch his development closely - refusing to rule out the possibility of the 18-year-old boarding the Three Lions' plane to Germany for the European Championship later this year.

"I think Mainoo is doing brilliantly for a young player," said Southgate, speaking to The Telegraph. "He's had an excellent start for Manchester United. I'm not certain he's necessarily going to be a defensive midfielder, as such. He's quite a progressive player, but he's had a fabulous start to his career and it will be good to monitor him as we