Rising star Erik ten Hag sold from Man Utd for fee rising to £15.5m being considered for first England cap

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A former Manchester United academy talent could be in line for a first ever England cap.

One of the regrets of Erik ten Hag‘s first summer in charge was that there was no patience on either side regarding James Garner.

Garner wanted to play first team football, and Ten Hag could not guarantee him a spot. So an exit was agreed.

A few months later United were left having to sign a midfielder on loan, Marcel Sabitzer. This summer again, Sofyan Amrabat. There may have been a spot for him had he stayed.

Garner is making a good career for himself out of the spotlight at Everton, overcoming an injury-interrupted first season to establish a role as a regular under Sean Dyche.

James Garner considered for England

According to a report in The Mail, James Garner is on a shortlist of midfielders being considered for England calls, along with James Ward-Prowse and Harrison Reed.

Manchester United sold Garner for £9 million rising to £15.5 million, The Athletic reported. The exact nature of the add-on clauses were undisclosed, but it is possible one is related to future England appearances.

Garner was a European Championship winner with the under-21 side and earned 18 caps at that level.

No surprise Kobbie Mainoo is in England mix

It will come as no surprise to anybody to learn Kobbie Mainoo is also being considered for a first England call.

If Garner’s exit was a disappointment for some hoping to see the Carrington graduate reach the first team, one positive was that it cleared the path for Mainoo to step up.

Mainoo, 18, is so talented that he probably would have broken through anyway, but we wouldn’t change anything which has helped the super-talented teen get to where he is right now.

Over the weekend Ian Wright led calls for Mainoo to get the call into the England squad. The Three Lions may look to spare him at this early stage of his career, but there is no doubt on talent alone that he deserves a place.

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