English fans will be keeping an eye on Kobbie Mainoo during the international break because he is their “wild card” for Euro 2024.

Since Gareth Southgate called up the 18-year-old to play in matches against Brazil and Belgium, he has become a huge star very quickly.

The midfielder made his start with the first team last season and played a few times. This season he has quickly become a regular and is showing why Erik ten Hag thinks so highly of him.

Mainoo played great in the 4-3 FA Cup quarterfinal win over Liverpool, which made a lot of people believe he’s here to stay.

One of them was Southgate, and now Mainoo is trying to get his feet under the table at St. George’s Park after calling for him.

He told talkSPORT, “It’s been a crazy couple of days. First the Liverpool game, then being called up to the 21s, and now the first team. It’s been a crazy couple of days.”

“Seeing familiar faces and people you know is always nice, but the rest of the guys have been great too, they’ve made me feel right at home.” Some of the guys I know from playing against them, and I’ve talked to Cole Palmer a few times.

“It would be an honor to get on the plane for Euro 2024, but I’d be happy just to be on the field.”

“I have a lot of time between now and then, and I think everything will work out if I go back to my club and do what I need to do.”

With United as his stage name, since he was seven years old, Mainoo has been a big fan of the Red Devils.

One previous Barcelona star, though, rather than a fellow Mancunian, gave him ideas.

He talked about his childhood hero Ronaldinho: “I think everyone is a Ronaldinho fan, how can you not be?” 

“He played very well.” He played with a smile on his face and without any rules. So much football history lies in Brazil, and their team is so well-known. It would be amazing to play against them.

And at United, he can learn from some of the best players in the world. He also says that his teammates in the middle have helped him get so far so quickly.

He said, “I’d say Bruno Fernandes or Casemiro have helped the most.” “Being in midfield with them has been very helpful, and they have a lot of experience.” 

“They’ve been great players, so learning from them is the best thing that can happen.” 

“They always want to help and support me in any way they can. There’s a lot.”

With England, he can learn from Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka, two players who have taken similar steps much more recently than he has.

“To be like them would be great; they rose to fame so quickly and stayed there, and they’re both great players,” Mainoo said.

Even though many of his teammates have been praised, Mainoo needs to take most of the credit. Both Ten Hag and Southgate have said nice things about him off the field.

“I think it’s because of my parents and siblings that I was raised with good manners,” he said.

“Another reason is that they want to get better and know that to do that they need to listen to coaches and players with more experience.”

“I know I can learn a lot from the players here and at United, and that’s a trait I need to have to get better.”

Mainoo might play in both of England’s March matches, but the young player could still play for Ghana in the future.

Mainoo is good enough to play for both the African country and the United States, but he isn’t saying which country he will play for in the long run.

He said, “I’m proud of my Ghanaian roots, but playing for England is also an honor for me, so I’m just enjoying the experience.”

Even though a lot is uncertain, he is sure of his short-term goals.

“I want to make a name for myself as a Premier League player,” he said. “I want to keep getting better and better and see what happens.”