Mainoo could have featured more prominently earlier in the campaign if not for an injury sustained in pre-season, when Ten Hag spotted that he had the capability to step up into the first team.
“I think very quickly I saw him,” Ten Hag added. “I think last autumn I saw him for the first time and at that moment I thought he was playing a little bit too comfortable in the Under-21s, he should be much more dominant. We pushed him a lot by that side, by pushing him in training and you see he makes such good progress and he is almost progressing from game to game.
“And of course, it’s wonderful to see and I hope he stays calm like he is, as he did with his goal as well. He is determined, he is a good character and I hope he keeps going with this progress.”
Should Mainoo continue developing at this rate he is in line for a new contract, but only at the end of the season, as United stand firm on their approach to negotiations for breakthrough stars.
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