Erik ten Hag not only wants talented footballers at Manchester United; he also wants the right personalities who can handle the pressure of returning the club to where they feel they belong.
They say that pressure makes diamonds and in teenage starlet Kobbie Mainoo they have a real gem of a player. He was the standout player again in the FA Cup victory over Wigan on Monday night.
There is often an unfair amount of expectation placed on United's academy products given the rich tapestry that flowed before them, but the praise for Mainoo is completely justified and vindicated every time he takes to the pitch.
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He has been a breath of fresh air in the United midfield this season and is the embodiment of everything that Ten Hag wants from a player. But he is still in his honeymoon phase and there is perhaps concern that his achievements could be blown out of proportion and his shortcomings overlooked.
What is so important is that he keeps his feet on the ground. Paul Ince has warned not to get too carried away with Mainoo-mania and believes there is a lot of hard work still to be done if he is to build upon such solid foundations.
It's a fair point, but also a harsh reality check. Mainoo has been magnificent this season, but his success has been amplified by the struggles of his fellow midfielders and he has benefited from enhanced playing time because of the ongoing injury crisis.
The next challenge for Mainoo will come when they have a full squad to choose from. There is a common train of thought that Casemiro could be the perfect foil for the teenager to take his game to the next level, but he will also provide direct
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