Manchester United gets a health boost from Kobbie Mainoo as midfielder targets return against Everton.

Following two appearances for England’s Under-19s this week, youngster Kobbie Mainoo has increased his prospects of making his first season debut for Manchester United.

The midfielder, who made his senior debut for United in January, beginning their 3-0 Carabao Cup quarter-final win against Charlton Athletic, has played for the Three Lions’ youth team on their tour to Marbella, Spain. He began Saturday’s victory over Japan after coming on as a substitute in Wednesday’s 6-0 win over Romania.

Mainoo, wearing the No.10 shirt, started in the center of midfield for 76 minutes before being substituted by Tottenham Hotspur youngster Jamie Donley. The latter made a significant contribution, scoring the game-winning goal in the final minute of regulation time.

Mainoo, who came on for Donley after 60 minutes against Romania three days ago, has played more than 90 minutes of football during the international break so far. England’s Under-19s will complete their trip in Marbella on Tuesday evening with a match against Mexico.

Mainoo has, of course, been working on his fitness in recent weeks in the hopes of rejoining Erik ten Hag’s first-team ambitions. He suffered an ankle injury in July and has not played for Manchester United since.

He has been named to the Reds’ bench for the last three Premier League games, but has yet to be called upon by Ten Hag. Despite this, he has lately played at young level for United, appearing in the Under-19s’ 2-2 tie with FC Copenhagen in the UEFA young League earlier this month.

With more minutes under his belt during the current international break, he should have a better chance of playing when United go to Goodison Park to face Everton next Sunday. The Reds will make the short trip to Merseyside without Christian Eriksen, who has joined Casemiro on the sidelines with a knee injury.

Mainoo, largely regarded as United’s most exciting prospect, will be aiming to feature against Mexico in midweek before returning to Carrington and reuniting with his United teammates ahead of the match against Everton. He has made three senior appearances for Liverpool thus far, with only one in the Premier League.