For once, there has been plenty of excitement surrounding an international break, especially if you’re a Manchester United fan.
It helps that England will compete in two exciting fixtures over the next few days as they take on Brazil on Saturday before then facing Belgium on Tuesday.
They may just be friendlies but they should be competitive affairs and offer Gareth Southgate’s side good preparation for Euro 2024.
The looming summer tournament and England’s strong chances of actually winning it have helped build anticipation for even this international break.
But, for Manchester United fans, it’s the sight of Kobbie Mainoo in the England squad for the first time that has really been a source of elation.
Kobbie Mainoo has earned his first England call-up
Southgate initially opted to leave Mainoo out of his senior squad this time around, despite his meteoric rise in Erik ten Hag’s team.
The Three Lions manager was justifiably cautious about throwing someone so young straight into such a high-pressure situation and risk hampering his development.
But after watching Mainoo’s fantastic display in the FA Cup triumph over Liverpool, he couldn’t help but change his stance.
The 18-year-old was promoted to the squad without anyone dropping out through injury and he has now completely bypassed the Under-21s.
Such a late call-up suggests there’s a real chance Mainoo could now be on the plane to Germany this summer, as it would have been very unlikely if he didn’t meet up with the squad at least once before the tournament.
In fact, if Mainoo impresses, he might just be the missing piece to the starting XI.
How England could line up at Euro 2024
There have beenincreased calls for Phil Foden to be handed a central role in the England team thanks to his immense form at Manchester City.
However, with Jude Bellingham already a guaranteed starter it was always difficult to see Southgate pick two attack-minded midfielders in the middle, even if it looked cohesive on paper.
Southgate has always taken a cautious approach in tournaments and it can’t be denied that it’s worked well.
The issue this time around is that there is a real lack of another quality defensive midfielder to play alongside Declan Rice. Or at least there was.
Jordan Henderson has managed to stay in the squad despite his disastrous spell in Saudi Arabia but Kalvin Phillips hasn’t made it due to his dreadful form.
The options were looking really bleak until Mainoo’s emergence. Now England’s midfield suddenly looks perfect as the teenager brings everything that was missing.
A midfield of Bellingham, Rice and Mainoo oozes quality, with a terrifying front three of Phil Foden, Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka just ahead.
Foden being pushed to the left does mean it could be a place on the bench for Marcus Rashford.
Two more United stars could be in the starting XI, though, with Harry Maguire at centre-back and, if he’s fit in time, Luke Shaw at left-back.
Kyle Walker, John Stones and Jordan Pickford will likely make up the rest of the back-line.
That’s a strong, skilful and frankly sensational England starting XI that should finally be able to bring a trophy home. Fingers crossed.