Kobbie Mainoo set for England start vs Belgium as Man United star aims to gatecrash Euro 2024 squad

Kobbie Mainoo is set to make his full England debut in tonight's friendly against Belgium at Wembley.

Mainoo, 18, attained his first England cap when he came on in the second half of the 1-0 defeat to Brazil on Saturday and it is understood he is slated to start this evening.

England's captain for the night, Declan Rice, will partner Mainoo amid uncertainty over the central midfield spot in manager Gareth Southgate's strongest XI. Conor Gallagher struggled to convince alongside Rice against Brazil.

Manchester United midfielder Mainoo made his career bow 14 months ago and his full Premier League debut came in the 3-0 victory at Everton in November.

Mainoo's start to the season was delayed by a four-month absence with an ankle injury but he has lined up in 17 of United's past 22 matches and is firmly established in manager Erik ten Hag's team.

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Southgate initially overlooked Mainoo for inclusion in his squad for this month's matches but Mainoo was promoted from the Under-21s early last week.

Mainoo played three times for England Under-19s in November and has never appeared for the U21s.

“Definitely Kobbie has a chance,” Southgate said on Monday. “He seems very calm. You can see he is taking everything in. Talking to him, tactically, he seems able to take all those concepts on.

“A lot of young players now, with their academy education, are able to do that. You can see his comfort with the ball and receiving in tight areas.

“There are a lot of steps being taken in a very short period of time but you saw in the brief cameo the other day some of the