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Erik ten Hag needs to prove his worth for Man Utd between now and end of season
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has already held talks with Kobbie Mainoo to ensure the 18-year-old midfielder remains level-headed during his meteoric rise. Mainoo's emergence as a starter for United and England has sparked excitement but also minor concerns among fans.
Mainoo had only made three first-team appearances with a total of 10 Premier League minutes before November.
Four months and 23 matches later, the teenager has established himself as a regular starter in Ten Hag's side and is now a two-cap England international.
Mainoo has started 15 of United's last 16 games, including the last 12 in the league, and was named Player of the Match on his first England start against Belgium on Tuesday.
His career is progressing at an incredible rate, which has raised some concerns among his fans that he's now exposed to all the elements that come with being an elite footballer.
However, Ten Hag has confirmed that he has already sat down with Mainoo to discuss his transition into one of the country's most talked-about stars.
"Yes [I'm aware of the risk], but we have discussed this before. So far, he handles it very well, and if he crosses the line, of course, I, as a manager, we, as coaches, will interfere," Ten Hag explained on Friday.
The Three Lions are among the favourites to win this summer's Euro 2024 tournament and you can get your hands on the brand new Nike home and away kits before the first whistle.
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"But so far it is not necessary because he wants to play football, he wants to win, he wants to give his best every day because he wants to improve, he just wants to have fun on the pitch."
Mainoo was initially named in England's U21 squad for the first time before a sudden senior call-up followed his impressive performance in United's dramatic FA Cup quarter-final win against Liverpool.
Ten Hag was unsurprisingly monitoring his movements in the Three Lions camp and liked what he saw from his new midfield maestro.
He added: "Fun for him is to play dominant, to dictate the game and win the game. I thought it was a very good [display for England], but we are not surprised.
"We know what he is capable of. He can very quickly adapt to high levels. It looks very natural, and we are very happy for him.
"Of course, we are also very [proud]. It's great for the academy of Manchester United to bring up a player so young going into the national team. It's a big compliment for the whole club.
"[Also] for himself because he did it, but also all the ones who worked with him during his time in the academy, it's very good news for Manchester United."
Mainoo is almost certain to start when the Red Devils visit Brentford in the Premier League on Saturday night as they hunt down Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur for a Champions League spot.
