Kobbie Mainoo gets stunning offer! Man Utd star asked to snub England as Ghana FA want him to switch international allegiance

A member of the Ghana FA has revealed interest in tempting Manchester United starlet Kobbie Mainoo to represent the Black Stars instead of England.

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• Ghana are interested in Mainoo
• Man Utd youngster born in England
• Eligible to switch international allegiance

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Ghana are paying close attention to Mainoo's rise and Randy Abbey, a member of the executive council of the country's FA, has namedropped the 18-year-old as a player they are keen to persuade to represent them instead of England. It is part of Ghana's wider policy to ensure they are considering all 'eligible talents' for national team selection – including any, like Mainoo, who are born abroad.

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• WHAT ABBEY SAID

  Abbey told : "The Ghana Football Association is interested in monitoring, attracting, and persuading all eligible talents for its various national teams. Kobbie is definitely one of these incredible talents, and the association would love to work with him and many like him at home and abroad."

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Mainoo was born in Stockport, Greater Manchester and has already represented England at every age group from Under-17 through to Under-19 in recent years. But his parents both hail from Ghana, making him eligible to represent the west African nation, too. As a result, the player has the opportunity to switch international allegiance to Ghana, should he wish.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Under FIFA rules, a player can switch international allegiance between countries for which they are eligible, provided they have played no more than three senior competitive games for a particular national team before the age of 21. There is no limit at any age on playing friendlies. It means Mainoo could make his senior debut for England – even in a competitive setting – and still be eligible to choose Ghana at a later date, or vice versa, as long as he still meets the criteria.