Ghana Football Association have reportedly approached Manchester United's wonderkid Kobbie Mainoo over a potential switch of commitment on the International stage.
What happened?
The Manchester United midfielder has emerged as the latest young star in the Premier League following his recent eye-catching performances for Erik ten Hag's side.
The United Kingdom-born's outstanding display came in Man United's 4-3 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Thursday, February 1, which has earned him massive praise after scoring a dramatic winner in the 97th minute at the Molineux Stadium.
However, the 18-year-old previous outstanding performance has drawn the interest of his parents' country, Ghana, who are working to persuade him to switch from England to the Black Stars of Ghana despite previously playing for England youth teams.
A member of the Ghana FA Randy Abbey told reporters that they are already eyeing Mainoo, and are interested in convincing him to dump his dream of playing for the Three Lions.
He said; "Kobbie is one of such incredible talents, and the Association will love to work with him and many like him at home and abroad".
Randy added; "The Ghana Football Association is interested in monitoring, attracting, and persuading all eligible talents for its various national teams".
Ghana are looking to rebuild their team after getting knocked out of the African Cup of Nations at the group stage in favour of Egypt and Cape Verde.
Chris Hughton's side failed to make it past the group stage, with the former Brighton & Hove Albion boss receiving the marching order after Ghana's exit from the 2023 AFCON.
How Manchester United players responded to Ghana's pursuit of Kobbie Mainoo
Manchester United captain, Bruno Fernandes, was also fast to pile on the plaudits, acknowledging that he had recognized the ability that Mainoo had two or three years ago, and now the Ghana FA are starting to take note too.
Another teammate Rasmus Hojlund said; he was tagged "a generational talent".
On the other hand, the player has represented England at three different youth occasions, winning six caps at the Under-19s.
Meanwhile, he is yet to make his debut for the senior side which the English FA and Gareth Southgate will be working towards currently.
Following his impressive display for Man United recently, he could start to put pressure on England's head coach Southgate to include him in his senior team plans.
With the Three Lions in action at the Euro 2024 later this year, a continuation of similarly dominant performances could leave him with an outside chance of a call-up to the England national team.
Reports back in November 2022 stated that the English FA were confident of keeping hold of the 18-year-old midfielder.
Why Kobbie Mainoo can represent Ghana and England
Mainoo was Born in the United Kingdom, Stockport, Greater Manchester, and has represented the Red Devils since he was just nine years old, making his senior debut on 10 January 2023 in a League Cup win over Charlton Athletic.
He has represented The Three Lions at youth level for several years, first playing for England U17s in 2021, while he has gone on to play for the U18 and U19 teams as well.
However, he is also eligible to represent Ghana. This is because both of his parents are from the African country, and he reportedly visits the country regularly during his time off.
How Kobbie Mainoo rose to stardom
Mainoo is the next Premier League eye-catching player after his breakthrough season at Old Trafford where he has captured the eyes of many in his central midfield role even when United have been struggling.
After his excellent performance against Wolves on Thursday, February 1, he said; "To start playing in the Premier League for my boyhood club has been amazing".
He added; "Now (I am) just trying to get a good run of games in, win more games, and get real momentum going".
Mainoo's improvement has been beautiful and remarkable, although, injury prevented him from featuring in a Premier League matchday squad until late October.
He then sat on the bench for a few weeks before starting in the 3-0 away win against Everton in November 2022.
Since then, he has played in seven out of nine league matches, taking his tally up to 12 games in total for the senior team this season.
He scored his first goal for the club in a 4-2 FA Cup victory at Newport County and has been pivotal for Ten Hag over the past few months.
What's next for Kobbie Mainoo?
It will certainly be interesting to see if the English FA and Gareth Southgate make any attempts shortly to get him on board for the Three Lions. With personal ties to both countries (England and Ghana), therefore, it remains to be seen just who Mainoo would prefer to represent.
What happened?
The Manchester United midfielder has emerged as the latest young star in the Premier League following his recent eye-catching performances for Erik ten Hag's side.
The United Kingdom-born's outstanding display came in Man United's 4-3 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Thursday, February 1, which has earned him massive praise after scoring a dramatic winner in the 97th minute at the Molineux Stadium.
However, the 18-year-old previous outstanding performance has drawn the interest of his parents' country, Ghana, who are working to persuade him to switch from England to the Black Stars of Ghana despite previously playing for England youth teams.
A member of the Ghana FA Randy Abbey told reporters that they are already eyeing Mainoo, and are interested in convincing him to dump his dream of playing for the Three Lions.
He said; "Kobbie is one of such incredible talents, and the Association will love to work with him and many like him at home and abroad".
Randy added; "The Ghana Football Association is interested in monitoring, attracting, and persuading all eligible talents for its various national teams".
Ghana are looking to rebuild their team after getting knocked out of the African Cup of Nations at the group stage in favour of Egypt and Cape Verde.
Chris Hughton's side failed to make it past the group stage, with the former Brighton & Hove Albion boss receiving the marching order after Ghana's exit from the 2023 AFCON.
How Manchester United players responded to Ghana's pursuit of Kobbie Mainoo
Manchester United captain, Bruno Fernandes, was also fast to pile on the plaudits, acknowledging that he had recognized the ability that Mainoo had two or three years ago, and now the Ghana FA are starting to take note too.
Another teammate Rasmus Hojlund said; he was tagged "a generational talent".
On the other hand, the player has represented England at three different youth occasions, winning six caps at the Under-19s.
Meanwhile, he is yet to make his debut for the senior side which the English FA and Gareth Southgate will be working towards currently.
Following his impressive display for Man United recently, he could start to put pressure on England's head coach Southgate to include him in his senior team plans.
With the Three Lions in action at the Euro 2024 later this year, a continuation of similarly dominant performances could leave him with an outside chance of a call-up to the England national team.
Reports back in November 2022 stated that the English FA were confident of keeping hold of the 18-year-old midfielder.
Why Kobbie Mainoo can represent Ghana and England
Mainoo was Born in the United Kingdom, Stockport, Greater Manchester, and has represented the Red Devils since he was just nine years old, making his senior debut on 10 January 2023 in a League Cup win over Charlton Athletic.
He has represented The Three Lions at youth level for several years, first playing for England U17s in 2021, while he has gone on to play for the U18 and U19 teams as well.
However, he is also eligible to represent Ghana. This is because both of his parents are from the African country, and he reportedly visits the country regularly during his time off.
How Kobbie Mainoo rose to stardom
Mainoo is the next Premier League eye-catching player after his breakthrough season at Old Trafford where he has captured the eyes of many in his central midfield role even when United have been struggling.
After his excellent performance against Wolves on Thursday, February 1, he said; "To start playing in the Premier League for my boyhood club has been amazing".
He added; "Now (I am) just trying to get a good run of games in, win more games, and get real momentum going".
Mainoo's improvement has been beautiful and remarkable, although, injury prevented him from featuring in a Premier League matchday squad until late October.
He then sat on the bench for a few weeks before starting in the 3-0 away win against Everton in November 2022.
Since then, he has played in seven out of nine league matches, taking his tally up to 12 games in total for the senior team this season.
He scored his first goal for the club in a 4-2 FA Cup victory at Newport County and has been pivotal for Ten Hag over the past few months.
What's next for Kobbie Mainoo?
It will certainly be interesting to see if the English FA and Gareth Southgate make any attempts shortly to get him on board for the Three Lions. With personal ties to both countries (England and Ghana), therefore, it remains to be seen just who Mainoo would prefer to represent.