A tough season for Manchester United has been made better by the talent coming into the first team through the academy.
Manchester United’s two best players in recent months have been Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo.
The FA Youth Cup winning pair are now regular starters for the Red Devils, and there are more young talents coming through.
Not every player at Carrington will make it, though, with Di’Shon Bernard one example. The Jamaica international centre-back was released by United last summer, four years after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer handed him a debut against Astana.
Di’Shon Bernard raves about Kobbie Mainoo
Di’Shon Bernard signed as a free agent last summer for Sheffield Wednesday, where he has made 27 Championship starts this season, and 33 appearances in all competitions.
While he did not quite make it as a United regular, he has spoken glowingly about one player who has, Kobbie Mainoo.
Bernard saw Mainoo first hand in the academy, training alongside him, and speaking to The MEN, he described him as a ‘special talent’.
Elaborating further, he commented: “I was thinking: ‘Who is this kid?’ You could see straight away from the stuff he was doing in training that he was going to be a top, top player.
“His dribbling was remarkable, going through players easily, just striding like he wasn’t even trying.
“You could see straight away that he was one of those special players coming through the ranks and I am proud to see him playing for United and doing what he is doing. He deserves it.”
Mainoo is heading for the top
Kobbie Mainoo had made one start and three substitute appearances for the first team last season, after making his first team debut at 17.
His start to this season was delayed after an injury in pre-season, before being called back into the team in November. He has become irreplaceable ever since.
Mainoo has made 19 appearances, 16 of which have been starts, adding a balance and composure to Manchester United’s midfield which had been badly missing.
He has scored two goals so far, including a dramatic late winner away at Wolves, and there has been talk of an England call-up for Euro 2024.
Another big test awaits this coming weekend when United host Liverpool at Old Trafford. Mainoo performed well at Anfield in the clash between the two teams earlier this season.
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