Jude Bellingham's honest 'future' verdict on Kobbie Mainoo will excite Manchester United fans

Jude Bellingham was careful not to over-hype Kobbie Mainoo but insists the Manchester United midfielder has an 'amazing future' ahead of him.

Mainoo was handed his first senior start for England in Tuesday's friendly against Belgium, a game Bellingham saved with a late equaliser to make it 2-2. Youri Tielemans had scored a first-half brace for the visitors at Wembley either side of Ivan Toney's penalty.

Mainoo got 74 minutes at the heart of England's midfield and earned the Man of the Match award after full-time, putting in the kind of performance that United fans have become all too used to this season. The 18-year-old controlled play from deep, taking the ball under pressure and so often keeping possession.

There was no shortage of praise for Mainoo on the night and it is a position Bellingham has been in recently. The Real Madrid star was able to take a more measured approach to his analysis, albeit one that still recognised his young teammate's incredible potential.

"He was good tonight," Bellingham told reporters of Mainoo after full-time. "It's difficult, and I am speaking like the old head here, but I know how hard it can be when there's a clamour and people put a lot of pressure on you.

"So I don't want to add fuel to the fire, but he's definitely a brilliant player and he's going to have an amazing future at Manchester United and hopefully for England as well."

Mainoo has virtually done no wrong since making his Premier League debut in the 3-0 win at Everton in November, becoming almost ever-present in the United midfield since then. The teenager is clearly preferred to the on-loan Sofyan Amrabat and is expected to succeed Casemiro.

Having initially been called up to the England under-21s, Mainoo's chance at securing a place in the squad for this summer's European Champions looked slim but a surprise call up has opened the door. The youngster will hope to continue his excellent form against Brentford on Saturday.