Declan Rice prediction for Manchester United ace Kobbie Mainoo is about to come true

Kobbie Mainoo is poised to make more history with the Manchester United ace set to make his first England start on Tuesday night.

The 18-year-old impressed from the bench when he made his international debut against Brazil at the weekend and is now set to go one better with a start against Belgium tonight.

Arsenal star Declan Rice will captain the Three Lions for the first time and he is set to be partnered by the United youngster following an injury to Jordan Henderson.

It has been a remarkable few days for Mainoo, who was initially overlooked for senior selection by Gareth Southgate. He had previously only featured for his country at U19s level and has never appeared for the U21s.

The Stockport-born starlet was delighted to make his international debut at the weekend and after the game he took to social media to react to the momentous occasion.

Taking to Instagram, he wrote: "Special feeling making my senior @England debut at Wembley and in front of my family. A moment I will never forget. Now we bounce back and refocus for Tuesday."

Mainoo was inundated with responses to his post, one of which was from Rice, who wrote: "Many more to come! Congrats bro." That prediction is set to come true straightaway with the duo set to form the axis for England tonight.

If he performs well again against Belgium then Mainoo will have to be considered as a wildcard selection for the European Championship squad this summer. He has lined up in 17 of United's past 22 matches and is set to play a key role in the final months of the campaign as well.

A place in the 23-man England squad this summer could depend on the injury situation though, with his current role in the team in part down to the absence of more senior figures.

Speaking about the United youngster on Monday, England boss Southagte said: “Definitely Kobbie has a chance. He seems very calm. You can see he is taking everything in. 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.

“There are a lot of steps being taken in a very short period of time but you saw in the brief cameo the other day some of the qualities he has. It is a beautiful, innocent moment when he is just in the flow. And lapping up the opportunities as they come.”