Kobbie Mainoo targets Euro 2024 place with England after call up to Gareth Southgate's squad - 'That's the end goal'

Manchester United teenager Kobbie Mainoo admits he is targeting a place in England’s Euro 2024 squad this summer.

The 18-year-old was promoted this week from the Under-21 squad to Gareth Southgate’s senior side for the upcoming friendlies against Brazil and Belgium on Saturday, March 23 and Tuesday, March 26 respectively.

It is recognition for a breakout season for the midfielder, who has stood out for United since making his league debut in November.

He has established himself in United's first team, starting 14 of the past 15 matches, and scored a stunning winner in Manchester United's 4-3 victory over Wolves.

"I was shocked and happy," Mainoo said to the BBC about his first senior call-up. "It's been a whirlwind of emotions, a pretty mad couple of days.

"I had to adapt quickly to the Premier League. Obviously, it's very demanding physically, and also mentally, so it's been tough.

"But I feel like I've found my feet a bit now and I'm enjoying it.

"The games have been coming so fast at United but now I'm here [with England], obviously I am taking it all in and it's been amazing."

The call-up gives Mainoo an opportunity to impress ahead of Euro 2024, and it's a chance the teenager is clearly desperate to take.

Asked about his hopes of making the squad, Mainoo said: "I think that's the end goal for the season, to get into that squad. But obviously I've got to focus on club football in the meantime, and hopefully that'll figure itself out."

Liverpool defender Joe Gomez said he is "grateful" to be back in the England set-up after a three-and-a-half year absence.

The 26-year-old has been recalled for the first time since suffering an injury while training with England in November 2020 which left him needing surgery on his left knee tendon.

"Getting out in the warm-up, it was nice to close that chapter," he said.

"I'd be lying if it didn't have a psychological toll.

"I left the training pitch in an ambulance. Leaving and not getting a chance to come back was tough to deal with. It's nice to get back in the mix and close that chapter.

"At the time I was 22, being away for so long, naturally everyone gets older. You get a different outlook and perspective. You've got to be grateful to be here."

Unlike Mainoo, however, Gomez insists he is not looking beyond the next round of fixtures.

"I'm not thinking ahead that far," he said about making the squad for Germany. "We have a lot to play for and especially on the club side as well."

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