Kobbie Mainoo announces his arrival on the international stage with audacious skill just seconds into his England debut... as fans insist the Man United starlet is a 'generational talent'
- Kobbie Mainoo impressed fans after making his England debut against Brazil
- The 18-year-old Man United starlet came on as a second-half sub at Wembley
- England's Euro 2004 team was incredible on paper but they didn't win. Can this crop do it this summer? Listen to the It's All Kicking Off podcast
Kobbie Mainoo wasted little time showcasing his skills after coming on as a substitute to make his England debut.
In what is proving to be a whirlwind first season in senior football for the 18-year-old, Mainoo was promoted to Gareth Southgate's side earlier this week after initially being named in the Under-21 squad.
With Jordan Henderson unavailable through injury Mainoo was named on the bench for England's friendly with Brazil at Wembley.
With quarter of an hour remaining, Mainoo was brought on to replace Conor Gallagher in midfield and made an immediate impression.
In a clip that has since gained significant traction on social media Mainoo receives the ball with his back to goal and skillfully makes his way beyond fellow debutant Joao Gomes before driving up the pitch.
![Fans on social media have been unable to contain their excitement after Kobbie Mainoo made his England debut](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/23/23/82820527-13231893-image-a-73_1711237618980.jpg)
Fans on social media have been unable to contain their excitement after Kobbie Mainoo made his England debut
![The youngster wasted little time getting involved with the action after being subbed on in the second half against Brazil](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/23/23/82820529-13231893-image-a-74_1711237659620.jpg)
The youngster wasted little time getting involved with the action after being subbed on in the second half against Brazil
The move made a strong impression on supporters on social media, with fans excited about England's latest burgeoning prospect.
One wrote: 'The kids world class. Generational talent'
Another agreed: 'He gets to work straight away. What a player we have.'
A further fan added: 'If they had played kobbie from the start it would have been different. Brazil had only 2 out 6 games and really playing at bad form . We should of easily beat them after a 20+ winner streak.'
Another implored Southgate to start the teenager in Tuesday's friendly with Belgium: 'The squeal I let out when he did this. He's so f****** good I BEG he starts Vs Belgium Shame a tap in into an open net will get more hype to a teen that doesn't deserve it.'
Speaking following the game Southgate was full of praise for the Man United academy graduate: 'Kobbie was a chance to dip his toes.
'We needed to refresh some of the team because we’ve got to manage their minutes a little bit, so that’s a strange situation when it’s a game of that size but that’s where we are.
'To get Kobbie on the pitch was a brilliant moment for him & his family. You saw a couple of turns & a couple of really composed moments that is a bit of an indication of what he might become'
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![Supporters implored Gareth Southgate to hand Mainoo his first England start in Tuesday's friendly with Belgium](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/23/23/82820537-13231893-image-a-78_1711237743505.jpg)
Supporters implored Gareth Southgate to hand Mainoo his first England start in Tuesday's friendly with Belgium
While Mainoo's performance wowed fans on social media it was another teenager who stole the headlines on Saturday night.
Brazilian wonderkid Emerick netted the only goal of the game after coming on as a substitute, making history as the youngest player to score an international goal at Wembley in the process.
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