Carra sure Mainoo is on the plane
JAMIE Carragher believes ‘we know for a fact’ that United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo will be included in England’s Euro 2024 squad.
The 18-year-old impressed during the Three Lions’ international friendlies against Brazil and Belgium during the March international break. Mainoo came on as a substitute against the Brazilians and started the fixture on Tuesday against Belgium.
It has been a meteoric rise for the young midfielder who has made just 20 senior appearances in all competitions for United.
He was originally called up to Lee Carsley’s England U-21 squad before being picked to join Gareth Southgate’s senior team.
And former England international and Liverpool defender Carragher is certain that Mainoo will be going to this summer’s European Championships in Germany. He believes the only question is whether the young star will play.
“Sometimes you look at a young player, feels like it happens every tournament, someone really young comes out of nowhere - whether it was Rooney, Michael Owen, Bellingham a couple of years ago,” he told the Overlap.
“We know for a fact this kid is on the plane now on the back of last night and you’re actually looking at that first XI. You don’t want to get carried away on one game but because there’s no options in central midfield really. He’s definitely going, it’s just whether he plays”
FORMER Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer does not believe Marcus Rashford is guaranteed a spot in the England squad for the European Championships this summer. Rashford was limited to just 15 minutes of action in the most recent international break, stepping off the bench in the latter stages of England’s 1-0 defeat to Brazil last Saturday. He was an unused substitute against Belgium on Tuesday.
Competition for places within Gareth Southgate’s squad, certainly in wide areas, has never been higher, with the likes of Bukayo Saka,
Jarrod Bowen, Anthony Gordon, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish and Rashford all vying for places. Saka missed the two England friendlies through injury, as did Grealish.
Rashford has not been at his best for United this season, scoring just eight goals in 35 appearances in all competitions.
However, he has scored in each of his last three games, offering hope that he is set to finish the season with a flourish.
Amid Rashford’s desire to operate as a winger and not as an out-and-out striker, Shearer believes his form between now and the end of the campaign will dictate Southgate’s decision.
Shearer, speaking in a Q&A session on The Athletic’s website, said: “If Rashford plays well between now and the end of the