Erik ten Hag's message to Kobbie Mainoo long before Man Utd breakthrough speaks volumes

Moments after receiving his first medal as Manchester United manager, Erik ten Hag made a beeline for a teenager who had not even been in his victorious Wembley squad.

Ten Hag’s players were celebrating their Carabao Cup triumph over Newcastle United in February of last year but their boss wanted a word with a certain 17-year-old who had watched from the stands. “I remember what I said,” smiled Ten Hag at United’s training headquarters on Friday. “I said … your day will come.

"We are going to win trophies together and your day is coming when you will be part of it on the pitch. We are going there together and with this club. We are here to win titles. Take this moment, this experience and now you know what you are fighting for.”

That certain 17-year-old was Kobbie Mainoo - and Ten Hag knew back then that he was a player destined for big things. And even though the midfielder does not turn 19 until next month, Ten Hag is happy to acknowledge Mainoo’s importance to United.

“He can be the player who can make us play the way we want to play,” declared Ten Hag. “ We know what he is capable of, he can very quickly adapt to high levels, it looks very natural.”

The clamour is now for Mainoo to not only go to the Euros but to start for England and the adoration is something the youngster will have to deal with. “So far, he handles it very well and if he crosses the line, I as a manager, we as coaches, will interfere," said Ten Hag. "So far, it is not necessary because he wants to play football, he wants to win, improve, have fun on the pitch, dictate the game and win the game.”

Interestingly, Ten Hag clearly believes Mainoo can be instrumental in lessening United’s reliance on the counter-attack as the Dutchman looks to produce a more