Nick Cox hails Ten Hag for providing 'invaluable' experience to youngsters

Nick Cox leans back in his chair to reflect for a moment before answering how important winning is on the back of Manchester United's Under-18's Premier League North title.

'I won't be a success in my role if I've got a shelf full of trophies, no one will care in the long run,' Cox, United's academy manager, tells Mail Sport.

'I will be defined by the amount of young players that we support to reach their full potential, play in our first team, or go and play across the leagues. We've got a brilliant track record of doing that.

'We've got a great track record right now of boys in the first team, historically as well. That's what will define us.'

Cox only needed to look at the team-sheet at Wembley on Sunday to see the fruits of his and all other key academy coaches and figures' labour.

Nine academy graduates in the team - Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garancho, Scott McTominay and Marcus Rashford in the starting line-up and five youngsters, including young centre back Louis Jackson in the first team squad for the first time, on the bench.

None of Jackson, Harry Amass, Habeeb Ogunneye or Ethan Wheatley would get on, but nonetheless, the pathway to seeing a 250th academy graduate reach the first team is as close as ever.

For now, and that may include the aforementioned quartet, attention is on Tuesday night's Premier League Cup final at Leigh Sports Village against Manchester City.

Cox, who will be among a host of key United personnel in attendance, wants a full house and wants players to feel the pressure that comes with wearing a United shirt.

Both Mainoo and Garnacho have shown how well they deal with pressure on the biggest stages following their educations.

'I want the boys to play in front of crowds; I want the boys to play