Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has paid tribute to the performance of Kobbie Mainoo in Sunday's 3-0 victory over Everton in the Premier League.
The 18-year-old was handed his full Premier League debut at Goodison Park and put in a highly-impressive display against the Toffees, demonstrating class and composure in the middle of midfield.
Mainoo had been tipped to start the 2023-24 campaign in the first team, but he picked up a knee injury against Real Madrid in pre-season and has only just returned to full fitness.
The midfielder will now be bidding to keep his spot in the XI when Man United head to Galatasaray in the Champions League this week, and Ten Hag hailed the youngster for his contribution at Goodison Park.
"He has a lot of abilities and it was a really disappointing moment in pre-season when he got so badly injured," Ten Hag told reporters. "For him but also for our team, because I know he can progress a lot if he plays many of such games as today.
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"I know young players will develop very quickly and we thought it was the moment to bring him in. We prepared him properly but he did a great job and now he has to build on this."
Casemiro, Christian Eriksen and Mason Mount are all currently on the sidelines through injury, which led to Mainoo featuring in central midfield alongside Scott McTominay.
The Man United academy product debuted for the first team against Charlton Athletic in the EFL Cup back in January, before featuring in the Premier League against Leicester City in February.
"First Premier League start and a big three points, can't ask for much more. Thanks for the support, Reds," Mainoo posted on social media after the contest with Everton.
Man United now have back-to-back away games against Galatasaray and Newcastle United in the Champions League and Premier League respectively.
The Red Devils have won four of their last five matches on their travels, and Ten Hag has said that his side will enter the key double-header in good confidence.
"Already we progressed recently: in Copenhagen. It was a very hostile environment where we played the first 20 or 25 minutes very good until the red card and that's an example of how we will go in such games. Today we did as well," he said after the clash with Everton.
"It gives us also fuel in such environments, it's normal when you go to Everton and what this club has to overcome is really sad and you know that they are angry and their team is highly motivated and has a lot of fuel to hammer the next opponent.
"Everton are in a good sequence, they've played so well. It's going to be difficult but we like such challenges and that's what the team showed today."
Man United are currently fourth in their Champions League section on three points, one point behind third-placed Galatasaray and second-placed Copenhagen.
Matt Law
