Erik ten Hag is convinced that award-winning duo Kobbie Mainoo and Dan Gore could feature in the first-team squad next season.
The academy prospects both picked up awards last night. Dan Gore was honoured as the Denzil Haroun Reserve-Team Player of the Year.
Kobbie Mainoo won the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year, following in Alejandro Garnacho’s footsteps.
This begs the question, can the duo also follow in Garnacho’s footsteps by breaking into the first-team squad next season? Erik ten hag certainly thinks so.
Erik ten Hag praises award-winning Academy duo
Speaking to Manchester United’s media team in his most recent press conference, Erik ten Hag had high praise for both academy stars and even speculated that there is a ‘pathway’ for the duo to break into the first-team squad.
“Yeah they did well [in first-team training],” he said. “They deserved it and that is always what has to be the case.
“Like Alejandro Garnacho, [who won the Jimmy Murphy award] last season, you see the path is open but they have to deserve their position.
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“I hope this trophy will motivate them and stimulate them to bring more because that is necessary if you want to get a place in the first team, the first squad, of this club.”
United have always put faith in youth. Sir Alex Ferguson was the master of developing young players, who have gone on to become some of the biggest legends in Old Trafford’s history.
Both Mainoo and Gore look like extremely talented lads. With the final game at home today against Fulham, it’ll be interesting to see if they’re anywhere near the squad.
With Champions League football secured, nothing is on the line. It’d be good to see what they’re made of.