Manchester United youngsters Kobbie Mainoo and Rhys Bennett have been promoted to first team coach by Erik ten Hag.
Mainoo himself was pictured training ahead of United’s League Cup game against Burnley on Wednesday.
Kobbie Mainoo with the first team. ⭐️???? pic.twitter.com/CgrJeL6khW
— UtdPlug (@UtdPlug) December 15, 2022
Both Mainoo and Bennett were absent from the Under-21 match against Bolton at the Papa John’s Trophy on Tuesday due to their involvement with the senior team.
Mainoo played in both of United’s friendly defeats against Spanish rivals Cádiz and Real Betis.
Bennett came on against Betis after fellow academy graduate Teden Mengi was injured.
The Manchester Evening News reports on Mainoo’s promotion: “Mainoo is understood to be highly respected among academy staff and is regarded as the leader of his age group.”
“The Stockport-born youngster has yet to make his debut for the club, but he was named on the bench against Newcastle two months ago.”
Both youngsters earned praise for their performances in United’s friendly defeats against Spanish opposition.
Mainoo especially showed his class in the middle of the field every time he was on the field, showing why there is so much excitement around him.
The 17-year-old seemed extremely comfortable on the ball and allowed his technical brilliance to do the talking.
Bennett also did well alongside Victor Lindelof when the issues came his way in the loss against Real Betis.
The 19-year-old defender, who captained the Under-18s to Youth Cup success last season, held his own, which explains why Ten Hag exercised the option to promote him to first-team training along with Mainoo.
