Kobbie Mainoo has been handed his first England call-up on the back of some stellar displays for Manchester United – and a player who could join the midfielder at Old Trafford is obviously a big fan of the news.
While the sudden fast-tracking of Kobbie Mainoo’s international career has taken some by surprise, those who have watched the 18-year-old maestro up close since his long-awaited Manchester United debut against Everton in November will argue until their vocal chords give out that the teenager is more than worthy of place in England’s Euro 2024 plans.
Just imagine a midfield of Kobbie Mainoo, Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice? If Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had his way, it wouldn’t just be Gareth Southgate boasting such outrageous talent in the centre of the park.
But while those Solskjaer-era misses will forever haunt United supporters – no wonder Sir Jim Ratcliffe has made improving the recruitment department a key priority – a midfield of Mainoo, Bruno Fernandes and Joao Neves could potentially prove equally effective.
Manchester United like Benfica’s Joao Neves
According to Fabrizio Romano, the Benfica teenager is one of United’s leading midfield targets this summer, despite the £104 million release clause in his contract.
Ratcliffe, in that wide-ranging interview with the Geraint Thomas Cycling Clubpodcast, confirmed United’s priority under Ineos control will be to make superstars rather than sign them, and 19-year-old Neves would be a fitting posterboy for the new regime.
Neves, alongside fellow teenager Mainoo, is shaping up to be one of the great talents of his generation. And the former is seemingly a big admirer of the latter too, liking a post on Instagram – via @433 – confirming Mainoo’s call-up to the England national team ahead of March’s friendlies with Brazil and Belgium.
Neves and Mainoo is a partnership made in heaven
Neves has played nearly 60 games for Benfica already, and has been named the Primeira Liga Midfielder of the Month three times in 2023/24. There are similarities with Mainoo too, the remarkable poise and composure in which he plays the game reminiscent of a footballer far more experienced than he.
“I don’t know if United rumours are true,” United skipper and Portugal team-mate Bruno Fernandes tells Sport TV. “But I know he is ready for that big jump.
“He is an excellent player. He’s with the National team, (and) that’s also why the big clubs are after him.”