Kobbie Mainoo has been mentioned as a potential dark horse for England’s Euro 2024 squad but could the Manchester United wonderkid’s greatest competition be coming from Luton Town?
Perry Groves, a two-time First Division champion with Arsenal, certainly thinks so.
Groves watched on in awe as Ross Barkley – the Premier League’s renaissance man – rolled back the years during that valiant 4-3 defeat to his beloved Gunners on the other side of Christmas.
Arsenal are not the only top-flight giant who have been shoved onto the ropes by Barkley’s playmaking prowess either, the one-time Everton wonderkid grabbing two assists in the midweek FA Cup clash with Man City while dominating Erik ten Hag’s midfield during Manchester United’s nervy, Rasmus Hojlund-inspired victory at Kenilworth Road too.
Will Kobbie Mainoo be in England’s Euro 2024 squad?
And amid all the clamour for 18-year-old Kobbie Mainoo to be parachuted into Gareth Southgate’s England squad ahead of this summer’s European Championships, Groves feels that the teenager’s greatest competition may not be coming from Three Lions favourites Kalvin Phillips or Jordan Henderson.
But instead from a man who’s most recent international cap came when Mainoo was just 14.
“Yeah, for me he does (get into England’s Euros squad),” Groves tells talkSPORT of Barkley (28 February, 1pm). “Ross Barkley playing in the deeper position has been a genius, masterstroke by Rob Edwards.
“He does get back and do the defensive job, he gets the ball on the half-turn and sprays passes… I’ve seen him play against Arsenal, Man City, Spurs, and Newcastle, and he was one of the best players on the pitch. And that’s for a team who has limited possession.
“I think he’s been outstanding.
“Kalvin Phillips isn’t playing (at the moment), obviously he’s suspended (for West Ham) and doesn’t look great. Jordan Henderson at Ajax…
“If you’re talking about Kobbie Mainoo, which people are, you have to be talking about Ross Barkley to play in that holding midfield role.”
Manchester United teenager in top form
Southgate has often prioritised international experience over the exuberance of youth. But Mainoo’s remarkable emergence as arguably Man United’s most consistent performer – not that that’s saying much – may prove too influential to ignore.
According to the Daily Mail, Southgate watched Mainoo – who is also eligible to represent Ghana – during February’s 2-1 win at Aston Villa, the teenager’s twinkling footwork providing the ‘assist to the assist’ before Scott McTominay’s late clincher.
Barkley, meanwhile, has been linked with a shock move to United this summer. He represented Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Nice side in France until recently.
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