Kobbie Mainoo ‘doing well’ training with Manchester United first team

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Erik ten Hag spoke after Manchester United’s game with Fulham at the weekend to hail Alejandro Garnacho’s rise from the academy.

He added he wants to find more stars from the developmental system who can follow Garnacho in making a first team impact.

He told Eurosport: “I’m really happy that we can bring a young player up and it shows that when players deserve it, they get their chances.

“That is the first one, but we have to bring more.”

Kobbie Mainoo doing well in training

Kobbie Mainoo is in a great position to potentially emulate Garnacho within the next 12 months.

The 17-year-old was part of the FA Youth Cup winning XI alongside Garnacho last season.

He has been training regular with the first team and has stepped up regularly to the under-21s this season.

Last month he made Manchester United’s first team substitutes bench for the first time for a Premier League game, a sign Erik ten Hag is pleased with his progress.

United youth coach Travis Binnion confirmed to The Athletic that Mainoo has made a strong impression in first team training.

He added that the coaches are testing Mainoo out in different midfield positions as part of his development.

Bunion said: “In recent weeks, we’ve seen him play as a 6, 8 and 10, and that shows the making of a really good football brain and an athletic capability to play throughout the pitch and play in different roles and systems.

“He’s progressing nicely. His strengths are close control, good awareness, body contact. He’s really good in both boxes, he’s combative. He’s got a nice blend of many skills.

“He’s been training with the first team and doing well.”

Mainoo plays in a midfield position in which there is room for a young talent to break through.

Christian Eriksen and Casemiro are both 30 and while they are playing very well now, there is room for a young wonderkid to step up and challenge them when he is ready.

Mainoo could be the one to do so. He is on track at 17, already making a Premier League squad and training with the first team. If he can continue to develop at the same pace, he could make his debut before the end of the current season.