Kobbie Mainoo responds to Gareth Southgate and Ghana FA interest

Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo has attracted interest from the Ghana FA, whilst England manager Gareth Southgate wants him to commit to the Three Lions.

Mainoo, 18, has become a key player for United this season after making his full Premier League debut in November against Everton.

Since then, the teenager has started 11 games in a row for the club and has been highlighted as an important cog in Erik ten Hag’s team.

After his last-minute winner against Wolves at the start of this month, Mainoo received praise from Randy Abbey, a member of the executive council of Ghana FA.

“The Ghana Football Association is interested in monitoring, attracting, and persuading all eligible talents for its various national teams,” Abbey told The Times. “Kobbie is definitely one of such incredible talents, and the Association will love to work with him and many like him home and abroad.”

However, reports following suggested that Southgate was planning to integrate Mainoo into the England team for the upcoming international friendlies. The England boss was present at Villa Park on Sunday when Mainoo played a key part in Scott McTominay’s winning goal late on.

The latest information from MailOnline has stated that Mainoo is planning to keep his international options open until later this year despite growing interest from Southgate and Ghana.

The 18-year-old is eligible to represent Ghana through his parents and is in no rush to make a final decision.

The article added that the United midfielder will accept any call-up he is offered by England, but has no imminent plans to make his international future conclusive. 

Mainoo is expected to make a final decision once he is confident of breaking into the senior England squad on a regular basis.

The FA are confident of retaining the teenager’s services, who has already represented them at under-16, under-18 and under-19 levels but have not been given any guarantees.