Gareth Southgate has revealed what he told Manchester United's 18-year-old midfielder Kobbie Mainoo after he substituted him in England's 2-2 draw with Belgium on Tuesday night.
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The teenager made his debut for the Three Lions in their 1-0 defeat to Brazil this past weekend, and was then named in Southgate's starting XI to take on Belgium.
Mainoo impressed after a smart turn in midfield started the move that led to England being awarded a penalty, which Brentford striker Ivan Toney converted in the 17th minute to equalise after Youri Tielemans put the Red Devils in front after 11 minutes.
United's academy product was called up to the England squad only days after his performance in his club side's 4-3 win over Liverpool in the FA Cup last weekend, with Southgate seemingly amazed by the youngster's maturity.
"Everything that we've seen with his club, he reproduced in an England shirt, which isn't always the case," the tactician said in a post-match press conference, according to beIN SPORTS.
"Very calm, receives the ball so well under pressure, strong, so we are a little bit more open playing that way but the benefits with the ball were clear to see."
On what he told Mainoo after substituting him late in the second half, Southgate replied: "Just that he has had a fabulous week with us."
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The midfielder, who skipped England's U21 setup entirely in this break, was awarded the Man of the Match prize at the end of the game after a display that puts him in contention to make England's 2024 UEFA European Championship squad.
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