Andros Townsend was left blown away by one Manchester United play after coming up against him on the pitch recently.
Manchester United faced off with relegation strugglers Luton Town back in February and emerged from Kenilworth Road 2-1 winners.
Rasmus Hojlund gave United a quick-fire lead as he scored twice in the opening seven minutes.
Carlton Morris pulled one back shortly afterwards, though, and the remaining 75 minutes was a nervy affair in which Erik ten Hag’s side just about managed to hold on, with the Hatters hitting the crossbar in the last minute.
While most of United’s players panicked under the pressure, Kobbie Mainoo never lost his cool and always maintained great control of the ball.
It was just one of many excellent performances the teenager has enjoyed since breaking into the first team, which have now earned him his first England cap at 18.
Andros Townsend came up against him that day and was left seriously impressed by his quality.
Andros Townsend was blown away by the quality of Kobbie Mainoo
Speaking on the BBC’s Monday Night Club, Townsend was discussing Kalvin Phillips losing his place in the England squad to Mainoo.
“I think there’s other players now.
“Kobbie Mainoo, we played against him a few weeks ago, he’s incredible.
“He’s one who Gareth would have liked to have seen at U21 level but with the tournament in the summer, unfortunately, he needs to see him now.
“He needs to see him in the first-team environment. So he’s leapfrogged Kalvin Phillips.”
Kobbie Mainoo to make his first England start?
There’s growing speculation that Mainoo could make his first start for England in Tuesday’s friendly against Belgium.
Gareth Southgate has been impressed by the youngster in England training and the way he composed himself at Wembley on Tuesday night.
Conor Gallagher was given the chance to start against Brazil but didn’t do his chances much favour with a poor performance.
Now, Mainoo has the chance to truly make the position his own ahead of this summer’s Euro 2024 in Germany.
Mainoo is expected to start alongside captain for the night Declan Rice and if he can immediately strike up a partnership with the Arsenal midfielder then Southgate may have little choice but to start him in the tournament.