March 19th 2024.
Kobbie Mainoo, a rising star for Manchester United, was recently summoned to reception by assistant manager Steve Holland. The reason behind this unexpected call became clear when Mainoo shared the story of his promotion from England U21s to the main squad under Gareth Southgate.
Just last week, Southgate announced a 25-man squad for the upcoming Euro 2024 warm-up friendlies against Brazil and Belgium. Mainoo, unfortunately, was not included in the senior team and was instead named in the England U21s squad. However, fate had something else in store for the 18-year-old midfielder.
In a surprising turn of events on Tuesday, Mainoo was bumped up to the senior squad for the first time in his career. This unexpected call-up has raised a few eyebrows as there were no dropouts or injuries from the other 25 players. Typically, a player is only called in to replace someone else after the squad announcement.
Mainoo has been making waves at Manchester United this season, impressing under manager Erik ten Hag after breaking into the first team. Many were shocked when he was not initially included in the senior England squad last week. Mainoo himself has provided some insight into how he found out about his promotion.
In an interview posted on England's official social media accounts, Mainoo shared, "It's a bit different! I got called up to the U21s, then I got a text from Steve Holland. He told me to come and meet him at reception." It was at this point that Mainoo was informed of his call-up to the main squad. He admits that it hasn't fully sunk in yet and that his family back home is buzzing with excitement.
Mainoo's talent was on full display in the recent 4-3 FA Cup quarter-final victory over Liverpool, leading to comparisons with Manchester United legends like Paul Scholes. His inclusion in the senior squad has caused a buzz among fans, and many are eager to see him in action.
As Mainoo prepares for his first senior call-up, he is grateful for the opportunity and determined to make the most of it. His journey from the U21s to the senior squad is a testament to his hard work and dedication, and fans are eagerly anticipating his performance on the international stage.
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