Gareth Southgate's Euro 2024 plans 'blown apart' by Manchester United star Kobbie Mainoo

Gareth Southgate admits his international break plans were 'blown apart' after seeing the quality of Kobbie Mainoo with growing clamour for the Manchester United youngster to be on the plane for Euro 2024.

Mainoo featured in both of England's friendlies over the current break, coming off the bench against Brazil before enjoying a first start in Tuesday's 2-2 draw against Belgium. The 18-year-old was particularly impressive in the latter fixture and was named Man of the Match as reward for an excellent all-round midfield performance.

Having initially been left out of the senior squad for this international break, Mainoo's performances have thrown a spanner in the works ahead of this summer's European Championships, with calls for his inclusion only intensifying. Southgate was careful not to give too much away after Tuesday's draw but admits the United youngster has impressed.

"He gives us a different profile of midfield player to anything else we've got and we're really pleased with what he's done, he's adapted and adjusted brilliantly," Southgate told reporters. "You can't believe his age really, that he's taking it all in his stride as he has. He seems very mature, very calm, he knows he's making his way.

"We're absolutely delighted with what he's done, first and foremost. We know some of the core parts of that, we know who has been able to play at that level, we know who our very best players are, and the rest we've got a lot clearer picture of what people are capable of from the two games we've played.

"We're just going to see how people are when they come back into form, whether they can do that fitness-wise with their clubs. But there's a lot of the season still to be played with his club. I had a plan on Saturday night for Tuesday that got blown apart in 12 hours so to have a plan for something in two-and-a-half months time, at the moment, is frankly ridiculous.

"Everything that we've seen with his club, he reproduced in an England shirt which isn't always the case. 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.

"Talking to him tactically, he seems able to take all those concepts on. A lot of young players now, with their academy education, are able to do that. You can see his comfort with the ball and receiving in tight areas."