Man United sensation Kobbie Mainoo eyes Euro 2024 spot after England call-up

Manchester United's teenage sensation Kobbie Mainoo has described his call-up to the senior England squad as "mad".

The 18-year-old midfielder was drafted into Gareth Southgate's set-up for this month's friendlies against Brazil and Belgium along with Newcastle United forward Anthony Gordon and 21-year-old Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite.

Initially named in the under-21s squad, Mainoo was promoted to the senior squad following a commanding performance in United’s thrilling 4-3 FA Cup quarter-final win against Liverpool on Sunday.

“It’s been a pretty mad couple of days,” Mainoo told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“Sunday obviously was a great game and a great win [against Liverpool], then to get called up to the under-21s, obviously I was excited to come.

“Then getting down here and realising that I was with the first team was amazing.

“I was shocked and happy and it’s been a whirlwind of emotions.”

Mainoo has established himself as a key figure in Erik ten Hag's team since his return from an ankle injury he picked up pre-season.

He earned the man-of-the-match award in his first Premier League start against Everton in November and just 114 days later has been given his maiden England call-up.

Now Mainoo says that, while making his England debut is the first priority, he is also targeting a place in the squad for Euro 2024 in Germany.

“Yeah, I think that’s the end goal for the season, to get into that squad,” Mainoo said.

“But obviously I’ve got to focus on club football in the meantime, and hopefully that’ll figure itself out.”

Newcastle forward Gordon, meanwhile, said after his call-up to Southgate's squad that a switch of international allegiance to Scotland was never an option.

Gordon helped England to glory at the 2023