Newcastle United right-back Valentino Livramento is one of the fresh faces called up by interim England national team manager Lee Carsley for their UEFA Nations League games against Ireland and Finland.
The 21-year-old is looking to nail a spot in the starting XI following Kieran Trippier’s retirement from the national team. He took time for some press duties today and gave one particularly noteworthy observation.
Mainoo broke into the United first team last season and has become a mainstay in the starting line-up. The 19-year-old amassed 35 appearances for the Red Devils last term, bagging five goals and three assists.
Mainoo is the nexus that connects the defence with the midfield. He is an excellent box-to-box midfielder. He has all the tools to grow into a world-class footballer who can dictate the tempo for England and Man United for years.
His excellent outings for the 19-time Premier League champions led to a call-up to represent the Three Lions at the 2024 European Championship, and he played a vital role as they reached the final, where they lost to Spain.
The Man United academy graduate has been a firm fixture in Erik ten Hag’s squad this season, playing most of the available minutes alongside Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro.
Mainoo looks set to continue shining for England under Carsley, who will be contemplating his starting line-up against the Bhoys in Green.
English fans will be happy to see these fresh faces in the squad as they prepare for the post-Gareth Southgate era. Players like Mainoo and Livramento are leading this charge.
Livramento does have plenty of competition in the right-back position, with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Rico Lewis all angling for a place.
However, his versatility could see him fill in at left-back, where Trippier previously played. It is an option he admitted he is open to – he just wants to represent the national team!
