Next Jude Bellingham? Gary Lineker makes ‘big shout’ on Man Utd wonderkid Kobbie Mainoo – with teenage midfielder younger than fellow England star at Real Madrid

Mainoo, at the age of just 19, has enjoyed a breakthrough season at Old Trafford. He has taken in 32 appearances for the Red Devils, with a match-winning goal recorded in the 2024 FA Cup final. The youngster has also been included in England’s preliminary squad for Euro 2024.

Former Three Lions star Lineker believes Mainoo will have an important role to play for Gareth Southgate in Germany, with there still plenty of potential to be unlocked in his game. The same is true for Real Madrid superstar Bellingham, who has reached the very top of his profession at 20 years of age.

Lineker has told The Rest Is Football podcast of United wonderkid Mainoo: “The sky is the limit, I think. I'm impressed with his remarkable maturity, his confidence. I think he knows how good he is. He reminds me in that sense of Bellingham. I know that's a big shout, but he's two years younger. I think he's remarkably talented, I think he will feature in the Euros – I don't know where and when. Gareth was in the stands (at the FA Cup final) and everyone in the ground could see how good he was, how confident he was. You can see he's got almost an aura about him, the right sort of confidence.”

United have Mainoo tied to a contract through to 2026, but they are expected to reward the youngster with improved terms that recognise his importance to the collective cause – with it yet to be determined who will guiding the Premier League giants forward in their managerial post next season.