Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo has been named in the England Under-21 squad for their upcoming European Championship qualifiers.
The 18-year-old, who has established himself as a prominent member of United’s first team this season, was no included in England’s senior squad by Gareth Southgate on Thursday despite some calls for him to be picked.
Mainoo’s form has instead been rewarded with his first inclusion in Lee Carsley’s Under-21 side. The United academy product has previously only represented his country up to under-19 level.
Mainoo has made 22 appearances this season in all competitions, scoring two goals and providing two assists.
When asked why Mainoo had not been named in the senior squad, Southgate said: “I think that he’s doing brilliantly for a young player and we’re never slow to put a young player into seniors.
“But he’s only had a handful of games and you have to be very careful development-wise in making those decisions at the right time.
“So we think ideally, we should allow him that space to develop at his own speed. He’s not at the point in terms of number of games that Jude (Bellingham) and Bukayo (Saka) were when they came in for the first time.
“But I repeat, he’s doing really well for a young player. He’s a good footballer, you can see that. And he’s getting some fabulous experience with Manchester United at the moment. And he looks a really good character.”
Leeds United midfielder Archie Gray has also seen his form this season rewarded with a place in the England Under-21 squad for the first time. He has previously played under-20 football for his country, earning one cap at that level last year.
Gray, 18, has made 40 appearances this season in all competitions, helping Leeds rise to second in the Championship, three points off league leaders Leicester City.
England Under-21 face Azerbaijan on March 22 and then Luxembourg on March 26.
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Full England Under-21 squad
Goalkeepers: Matthew Cox (Bristol Rovers), Sam Tickle (Wigan Athletic), James Trafford (Burnley)
Defenders: Charlie Cresswell (Leeds United), Callum Doyle (Leicester City), Taylor Harwood-Bellis (Southampton), Rico Lewis (Manchester City). Teden Mengi (Luton Town), Brooke Norton-Cuffy (Arsenal), Jarell Quansah (Liverpool), Nathan Wood (Swansea City).
Midfielders: Carney Chukwuemeka (Chelsea), Harvey Elliott (Liverpool), Archie Gray (Leeds United), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), James McAtee (Sheffield United), Tyler Morton (Hull City), Alex Scott (Bournemouth).
Forwards: Jamie Bynoe-Gittens (Borussia Dortmund), Sam Iling-Junior (Juventus), Noni Madueke (Chelsea), Jaden Philogene (Hull City), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), Jay Stansfield (Birmingham City).
(Top photos: Michael Regan/Getty Images, George Wood/Getty Images)
