Brentford striker Ivan Toney has hailed Kobbie Mainoo after he produced a stunning performance on his full England debut against Belgium.
Mainoo was the silver lining for Gareth Southgate as the Three Lions drew 2-2 with Belgium at Wembley on Tuesday night. They went into the game after losing 1-0 against five-time world champions Brazil and now all eyes will be on the manager as he selects his squad for the European Championships in Germany this summer.
England scored two equalisers on the night and Jude Bellingham’s 95th-minute strike wasn’t enough to take the headlines away from 18-year-old starlet Mainoo.
The United midfielder has earned plaudits from his manager, team-mates and fans.
Gareth Southgate and Jude Bellingham have had their say on Mainoo’s performance, while goalscorer on the night Toney reflected on how he was sat playing Xbox at the same age.
Toney told Sky Sports, as per BBC Sport: “At 18 I was probably playing on the Xbox and he is out there being a man and playing for England. He just glides with the ball and I’m sure there’s more to come from him and he will go right to the top.”
It was the type of performance that will lead to Southgate bringing Mainoo to Euro 2024. The question now is whether he deserves to be starting in England’s midfield three.
Subscribe to the Stretty News podcast Strettycast for weekly episodes on Manchester United. You can also sign up to the ad-free Stretty Newsletter. Get the Stretty News verdict on all matters Manchester United.
More must-reads: