Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher claims that Kobbie Mainoo’s “sensational performance” on his first start for England will secure the Manchester United player’s place in the squad for Euro 2024 this summer.

The 18-year-old was handed the Player of the Match award for his display during the 2-2 draw against Belgium on Tuesday night, and Carragher claims he could follow in Wayne Rooney’s footsteps and make a big impact at a major international tournament as a teenager:

“I thought that performance was sensational. Sometimes you look at a young player and it feels like it happens every tournament, it feels like this time of the season someone really young out of nowhere – whether it was Rooney, Michael Owen, Bellingham a couple of years ago – they just go.”

“We know for a fact this kid is on the plane now on the back of last night and you are looking at the starting 11 and, I know you don’t want to get carried away, but he’s definitely going and it’s just whether he plays now.”

Mainoo has put himself in pole position to be named in England’s squad

The Three Lions have had their issues in central midfield over the past 12 months. Jordan Henderson is well past his best and Kalvin Phillips has struggled for fitness and game time.

It left an opening for a wildcard to come in and make an impact. Mainoo took his opportunity with both hands against Belgium and he has put himself in with a great chance of being on the plane to Germany.

Could he make the same impact as a United legend?

Wayne Rooney moved to Manchester United directly after his impressive performances for England at Euro 2004. The striker became the youngest scorer in the competition’s history when he scored twice versus Switzerland.

Whether Mainoo will set the European Championship alight the same way Rooney did 20 years ago, we shall have to wait and see.