Kobbie Mainoo sends message after making first team bench, Alejandro Garnacho responds

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Kobbie Mainoo was the surprise name on Manchester United’s substitute’s bench against Newcastle at the weekend.

While he did not make it onto the pitch, simply being called up to Erik ten Hag’s matchday squad for a Premier League game was a huge step forward.

Mainoo is only 17-years-old and this is just the start. He eventually aims to go one better and make his debut.

The teenager sent a message out last night expressing his happiness at getting the call at the weekend.

Mainoo benefitted from a number of absences in the first team squad at the weekend, with midfielders Christian Eriksen and Donny van de Been unavailable through illness and injury.

Eriksen hopes to recover in time for Wednesday’s match, which would take Mainoo out of the squad.

The teenager is also likely to be in action on Tuesday night in some capacity when United’s under-21 side take on Fleetwood Town in the EFL Trophy.

Alejandro Garnacho responds

Several players from Manchester United’s academy teams responded to Kobbie Mainoo’s message on Instagram.

Among them was Alejandro Garnacho, who joined him on the first team bench at the weekend and has been a regular in Ten Hag’s squad.

Garnacho and Mainoo were both part of Manchester United’s FA Youth Cup winning side last season.

Mainoo has been a regular at under-21 level this season, scoring twice in a 3-3 draw with Brighton a week ago.

Along with fellow youngster Zidane Iqbal, it is good to see Mainoo being integrated slowly into the first team set up by Erik ten Hag, a manager who showed great faith in the youth system at former club Ajax.