Erik ten Hag singled out Kobbie Mainoo while discussing the Manchester United youngsters who could potentially follow in Alejandro Garnacho’s foosteps at Old Trafford.
As you might expect from a man who made his name as an elite-level tactician at Ajax – the club who gave us Frenkie de Jong, Matthijs de Ligt, Clarence Seedorf and more – Ten Hag views youth development as one of the main tenants of his role at the Premier League giants.
The Dutchman’s impassioned speech, following Garnacho’s long-awaited contract renewal, gave a stirring insight into Ten Hag’s expert man-management and his knowledge of how best to handle precocious talent.
This comes just two months after the 53-year-old was spotted having a quiet word with teen sensation Mainoo following the Carabao Cup final victory over Newcastle at Wembley.
We don’t profess to know what was said. But we’d hazard a guess that it was something along the lines of; ‘This could be you, Kobbie, if he continue to work hard’.
Is Kobbie Mainoo Erik ten Hag’s next teen sensation?
Garnacho, before a recent injury, was blossoming as a key cog in United’s first-team. Fellow 18-year-old Mainoo may be the next to graduate with flying colours from arguably European football’s most feted finishing school.
The midfielder made his senior bow against Charlton Athletic in January.
“Ajax was the same as Man United in developing young players,” Ten Hag explains to the Manchester United website.
Both Ajax and Man United, he says, make it their mission not only to ‘develop’ brilliant young players but brilliant young men too.
“(We want to give) young players opportunities to work on their personality. Have a good life (so they) can contribute in society. But we want to develop (players too),” Ten Hag adds.
“Garnacho. Kobbie Mainoo is also on his way. There is a pathway to the first-team but they have to deserve it. We have structures in the academy. But talent has to do it by itself.”
Mainoo was handed his Premier League bow during February’s 3-0 hammering of Leicester City.
Isak Hansen-Aaroen, Maxi Oyedele, Marc Jurado and Willy Kambwala were all spotted being put through their paces in first-team training last week too.
“He is powerful, strong, very young,” says Paul Wooston, Mainoo’s former coach.
“When he gets his opportunities, he never lets anyone down. He’s a young lad full of immense talent with a good head on his shoulders.”
Mainoo has two goals and two assists in 12 Premier League 2 games this term.
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