Manchester United youngster Kobi Mainoo has been informed that he will be part of Erik ten Hag’s first team next season.
Mainoo, 18, has long been considered the shining light of his age group at the academy and Manchester Evening News understands the midfielder will remain in the first team this season rather than being sent out on loan.
Of course, a loan for Mainoo is possible, but the decision was made to keep him in the team. Alejandro Garnacho took that route to the first team last term and is now an established player at senior level.
Want to join our MUFC Pro club for an ad-free version of the MEN’s Man United app, packed with premium features? Press here.
READ MORE: United are considering Dean Henderson’s options
There was interest in Mainoo from top Ligue 1 sides in the January transfer window, but United turned him down.
The youngster made his first-team debut against Charlton in the Carabao Cup on January 10 and made his Premier League debut just a few weeks later when he came off the bench against Leicester.
Ten Hag started Mainoo in the first pre-season games against Leeds in Oslo and against Lyon in Edinburgh. The Stockport-born lad has now traveled to the US where United will play a series of friendlies in the States.
Mainoo can be used anywhere in a midfield three, but it is believed that he will be best suited to play the No.8 role in the long term. Club officials have challenged him in various roles in under-21 matches with the aim of accelerating his development.
Certainly, Mainoo, who just celebrated his 18th birthday in April, has impressed his senior team-mates and sources have described him as “a real natural talent with high technical ability”.
Mainoo recently signed a new long-term contract until the summer of 2027.