Lee Sharpe backed Kobbie Mainoo to go to Euro 2024 with England this summer.
The Manchester United midfielder has been a rare bright spot at Old Trafford as he has emerged as a first-team regular and put some senior figures’ future into question, such as Brazilian Casemiro.
He has also made an impressive start to his England career, so given his inexperience, there have been some doubts over whether he will be risked at a headline tournament at such a young age.
Speaking to Footy Accumulators, Sharpe believes the teenager has enough maturity to warrant inclusion.
He said: “I think Kobbie Mainoo needs to be in the England team with the season that he’s had - I think he’s been an incredible fighter this year for Manchester United.
“I think for an 18-year-old, his decision making, his ball control, his passing, and the goal he scored in the depths of the game against Wolves was phenomenal. So he’s got the ability to beat people and score a late goal, and find an opportunity to create. I think he’s an all-round player and he can go as far as he wants, really. He just needs to keep his head down, keep playing and keep enjoying his football.
“I think that when you’re a young player, it’s always good to be around senior players and seeing how they train, how they perform and how they prepare. So yeah, I don’t think it could do him any harm at all. I’d like to think he’d get a few minutes on the pitch as well. I think he warrants time on the pitch. I think he’s been that good this season.”
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