What Erik ten Hag told Kobbie Mainoo in viral clip after Manchester United won the League Cup
Erik ten Hag assured Kobbie Mainoo that 'his time would come' at Manchester United during an on-field chat in the wake of their League Cup triumph last season.
The 18-year-old has been one of the standout performers in a United shirt so far this season following a breakthrough campaign that saw him make his first England start earlier this week.
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Hide AdMainoo wasn't in the squad as United triumphed 2-0 over Newcastle United in the League Cup final last season, but was invited onto the pitch to celebrate the win with his teammates. A viral social media clip showed Ten Hag approach the teenage midfielder and wrap his arm around Mainoo's shoulder before talking to him.
Now, the United manager has revealed what he said to Mainoo and how the academy graduate was originally planned to play a role from the start of the season if not for an unfortunate injury against Real Madrid last summer.
"I remember what I said: your day will come," Ten Hag told reporters in his latest press conference. "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. And we are in the process to develop and we are here to win titles. So take this moment, take that experience and now you know where you are fighting for."
Asked whether he was originally going to be integrated into the first-team earlier than he was, the United manager added: "Yes it was the plan, it was the intention. We thought he was capable of it and we thought he was capable of adjusting very quickly to high levels so we had to delay that moment but for him and for us that is good.
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Hide Ad"Later in the season he proved it that he can contribute highly to our team. We are happy we saw this right and we are happy we have a player like him in our squad. He can really contribute and be the player who can make us play the way we want to play."
Ten Hag also revealed Mainoo missed training on Thursday due to illness but was going to take part in Friday's session ahead of travelling to face Brentford.
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