Gareth Southgate will target Manchester United starlet Kobbie Mainoo in a bid to keep him out of the clutches of Ghana.
Mainoo has represented England at U17,U18 and U19 levels, but is still eligible for Ghana through his parents. But Southgate is desperate to see him pledge his international future to the Three Lions instead.
The England boss is expected to hold talks with the midfielder in the hope of persuading him to stick with the country of his birth. And Mainoo could even be fast-tracked into Lee Carsley's England U21 squad to speed up the process.
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Mainoo was outstanding in United's 3-0 win at Everton on Sunday, to enhance his growing reputation in the game. It was his competitive debut in the Premier League and pundits queued up to praise his maturity, in what was a white-hot atmosphere at Goodison Park.
Mainoo, 18, joined United as a kid and is regarded as the brightest prospect to emerge since the Class of 92. He helped United win the FA Youth Cup in 2022 and was rewarded with his first professional contract earlier this year, worth around £10,000-a-week.
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He made his competitive debut in January when he started in a 3-0 EFL Cup win over Charlton. Southgate has been keeping close tabs on Mainoo's progress and is aware the teenage sensation could still decide to choose the Black Stars.
The likes of Wilfried Zaha, Jamal Musiala and Folarin Balogun have all turned down the chance to represent England at senior level in recent times – and Southgate doesn't want Mainoo to do the same.
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