Erik ten Hag has been granted one more chance to point to his greatest Manchester United success

A season that began with a rapid descent from ecstasy into agony will conclude in the emotional cauldron of tournament football for Kobbie Mainoo. Whatever happens from here it has been an astonishing breakthrough campaign for the Stockport teenager.

It was in Houston's imposing NRG Stadium last July that the value of Mainoo to Manchester United first became apparent. Those who had watched him steer the club to FA Youth Cup success and shine through the academy ranks knew there was a serious talent there.

People who had been paying closer attention also knew Erik ten Hag was a big fan. The Dutchman had sought the teenager out in his club suit on the Wembley pitch after the Carabao Cup win against Newcastle to tell him it wouldn't be long before occasions like this belonged to him. Even Ten Hag couldn't have believed it would happen this quickly.

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Fifteen months later Mainoo was upstaging his more gilded Stockport alumni Phil Foden in an FA Cup final. Now they could share a pitch in England colours in an international tournament.

After playing 87 minutes across three games in 2022/23, Mainoo was earmarked for a more prominent role this season. He impressed Ten Hag with his training performances at the start of pre-season, but it was when he was included in a strong team to face Real Madrid last summer that just how highly he was valued became clear.

That was the first friendly of the summer when Ten Hag picked what seemed to resemble his strongest team. He had Andre Onana in goal and Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane in defence. Mason Mount, Casemiro, Bruno