Summer promise was no mirage for Kobbie

BRIGHT DEBUT SHOWS HE CAN BE MAINSTAY FOR TEN HAG

- Chris McKenna

ERIK TEN HAG looked on as his medical staff helped Kobbie Mainoo hobble off the pitch at the NRG Stadium in Houston and there was a serious sense of deflation for the Dutchman.

To outsiders, an 18-year-old who had never started a Premier League game picking up an ankle injury in a pre-season game in July was merely a footnote amid the usual summer splurging in the transfer market.

But for the Manchester United manager and his coaching staff, it was seen as a headline loss of what Bruno Fernandes called a "special player" after his side's win against Everton.

Ten Hag had watched Mainoo dominate in midfield four days earlier against Arsenal and had started to ponder about the Stockport-born teenager becoming a focal point in his midfield.

With the transfer budget no longer limitless thanks to United's flirting with profit and sustainability rules in England and Europe, Ten Hag was keen to promote youth into midfield.