England vs Brazil LIVE: Result and final score after late Endrick goal in Wembley friendly tonight

Kobbie Mainoo says a place in England’s Euro 2024 squad is the end goal after the Manchester United teenager’s whirlwind rise continued with a first senior call-up.

Long considered a future Old Trafford star, the 18-year-old midfielder has established himself as key part of Erik ten Hag’s side since returning from an ankle ligament injury sustained in pre-season.

Mainoo produced a man-of-the-match display as he made his first Premier League start against Everton in November and received his maiden England call-up just 114 days later.

Initially named in the under-21s set-up, he was promoted to the senior squad for the friendlies against Brazil and Belgium fresh from United’s jaw-dropping 4-3 FA Cup quarter-final win against Liverpool.

“It’s been a pretty mad couple of days,” Mainoo told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“Sunday obviously was a great game and a great win, then to get called up to the under-21s obviously I was excited to come. Then getting down here and realising that I was with the first team was amazing.

“I was shocked and happy and it’s been a whirlwind of emotions.”

England face two friendly fixtures during the March international break - and these will likely serve as the last opportunity for some players to impress and prove they deserve a spot in the squad for Euro 2024.

Ivan Toney and Ollie Watkins are fighting to be Harry Kane’s No9 backup, while the likes of James Maddison, Marcus Rashford, Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, Jarrod Bowen and Anthony Gordon are all in the current squad as potential wide support options of differing kinds - with Jack Grealish and now Bukayo Saka both out.

Here, the Independent’s sports writers make their pick below who Southgate should take a leave behind - join the conversation in the comments section and make your choices for the Euros.

England manager Gareth Southgate: “My focus is a European Championship.

“If we did something, a contract, here before everybody would be saying, ‘why are you signing a contract before a Euros where you’ve got to prove yourself?’.

“I’m certainly not going to speak to anybody else ahead of that. I never have.

“I’ve been eight years in the job. I wouldn’t entertain speaking to anybody else when I’m in the job.”

England boss Gareth Southgate says he will not speak to any interested parties until after Euro 2024 and called speculation linking him to Manchester United “completely disrespectful” to Erik ten Hag.

This summer could well prove the 53-year-old’s fourth and final tournament in charge of the national team with his Football Association contract expiring in December.

Southgate says contract talks are on the back burner with his full focus on glory in Germany, but the background noise dialled up this week following reports of Manchester United’s potential interest.

“I think there are two things from my point of view,” Southgate said. “One is that I’m the England manager. I’ve got one job, basically, to try and deliver a European Championship. Clearly before that, two important games this week.

“And the second thing is Manchester United have a manager and I think it’s always completely disrespectful when there’s any speculation about a manager that’s in place. I’m president of the LMA so I don’t have any time for that sort of thing, really.”

Gareth Southgate on England injuries:

“No Kane, no Henderson, no Palmer for tomorrow. Bukayo arrived with a hamstring problem so didn’t train and has gone back, but everybody else is available to play.

“One or two have had not so many minutes in the last couple of weeks but everyone else has trained fully with us. There are a few different aspects to it, everybody across the league has a high number of injuries. Everyone wants a simple solution but some players have had unfortunate injuries.

“[Kane] crashed into the net and it forced something on his ankle. Some players have had runs of injuries, maybe played too many games after coming back from injuries – it’s a raft of things. The intensity of games and additional minutes could be an aspect of that.

“We’ve got a long list of 40 players and a third are unavailable – the highest we’ve ever had, no question. Kane is a big doubt for the second game; the others we’ll know more Sunday.”

England have been dealt a blow – and an opportunity – as they head into their final friendlies ahead of Euro 2024, with three more players struggling with injuries and likely to miss Saturday’s game against Brazil – including captain Harry Kane.

The Bayern Munich striker will join winger Bukayo Saka on the sidelines, after the Arsenal star returned to his club earlier this week with a hamstring issue.

Gareth Southgate revealed that Kane is unlikely to feature in either match across the international break, with the Three Lions facing Belgium on Tuesday.

Additionally, Chelsea’s in-form Cole Palmer and new Ajax signing Jordan Henderson are set to sit out the weekend clash with the Selecao. Southgate was left lamenting the fact that up to a dozen players were unavailable for selection as the summer tournament draws close.

England have the chance to send out a statement ahead of Euro 2024 in their friendly clash against five-time world champions Brazil.

The Three Lions are one of the leading contenders for the Euros crown with football betting sites, but doubts remain over their ability to win under pressure in major tournaments.

Gareth Southgate’s men breezed through qualifying unbeaten, winning six of their eight games, including both matches home and away against Italy.

England are unbeaten in 10 since their defeat to France in the World Cup quarter-finals. Their performances against elite teams must improve for Southgate’s side to go all the way this summer and there will be interest to see how they fare against Brazil.

Predicted line-ups

England XI: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire, Chilwell; Gallagher, Rice, Bellingham; Bowen, Watkins, Rashford.

Brazil XI: Bento; Danilo, Bremer, Beraldo, Wendell; Guimaraes, Luiz; Raphinha, Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr; Richarlison.

Brazil are facing a significant injury list made longer with the withdrawal of Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes this week. Neymar, Gabriel Martinelli, Casemiro and Marquinhos are all absent, while a debutant is certain to begin in goal with neither Alisson nor Ederson available.

England are without a number of regular squad members, including Jack Grealish, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kieran Trippier, while Harry Kane, Cole Palmer and Jordan Henderson were all ruled out by Gareth Southgate.

Anthony Gordon, Jarrad Branthwaite and Ezri Konsa were the uncapped individuals included in Gareth Southgate’s initial selection, while Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo has also been brought up to the senior squad.