Former West Ham defender Matthew Upson has urged England boss Gareth Southgate to include one energetic Manchester United star in his Euro 2024 squad.
Gareth Southgate will lead England in his fourth consecutive tournament as Three Lions boss, having fallen short of capturing major silverware so far.
The Three Lions reached the 2018 World Cup semi-finals in Russia and the final of Euro 2020 under Gareth Southgate, who is out of contract in December 2024.
Southgate’s last major outing with England saw the Three Lions crash out of the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar at the hands of France.
The 53-year-old England manager, who has been heavily linked with Manchester United, could be at the helm of his last major tournament with the Three Lions.
England punched their ticket to Euro 2024 with a superb qualifying campaign, with the Three Lions winning six matches and picking up two draws.
The Three Lions have been placed in Group C for the tournament this summer, with Slovenia, Denmark and Serbia drawn against England at Euro 2024.
Southgate is expected to call up United players to his Euro 2024 squad for England, including the likes of Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Marcus Rashford.
Upson raves about Man Utd star
Manchester United teenage sensation Kobbie Mainoo made his hotly anticipated England debut during the March international break.
Kobbie Mainoo has enjoyed a remarkable season at Old Trafford so far, with the United midfielder establishing himself in the first team under Erik ten Hag.
The 18-year-old Stockport-born player came off the bench and impressed with his second-half cameo in England’s 1-0 defeat to Brazil at Wembley.
Following on from his England debut, Mainoo received his first start under Southgate and once again impressed with his performance in the 2-2 draw against Belgium.
Speaking to BBC Sport, footballer-turned-pundit Matthew Upson dropped the starting XI he would pick for England’s Euro 2024 opener against Serbia on 16th June.
The 44-year-old former England defender picked Mainoo for his Three Lions starting XI and praised the United teenager for his “energy and character.”
“I’m going with John Stones and Harry Maguire in the centre of defence because they have a good understanding together and great experience and also I don’t think anyone is challenging them enough,” Upson said.
“It is a bit trickier for who plays alongside Declan Rice but I like the look of Kobbie Mainoo, a great addition to the squad.
“He has the energy and character and I think he has the mentality to deal with that level.”
Ten Hag talks Mainoo and England
United manager Erik ten Hag insisted that he was “not surprised” with how well Mainoo performed in his full England debut against Belgium at Wembley.
“I thought it was very good, but we are not surprised,” he said at his pre-match press conference on Friday.
“We have seen what he is capable of, that he can very quickly adapt to high levels. It looks very natural.
“We are very happy for him and, of course, a little bit proud. I would say very proud.
“It’s great for the academy of Manchester United that they bring up a player so young going into the national team. That is a big compliment for the whole club.
“I think definitely in the first place for himself because he did it.
“But also for all the ones who worked with him during his time in the academy, so it’s very good news for Manchester United.”