Erik ten Hag's Kobbie Mainoo prediction is turning out to be true at Manchester United

While at Manchester United, Zidane Iqbal studied Frenkie de Jong. It is the midfielder two years his junior whom Erik ten Hag is developing into his midfield linchpin.

Before he was the cruel collateral in a tackle by Casemiro that sweltering evening in Houston, Kobbie Mainoo was being prepared for the United first team, never mind the squad. Ten Hag accommodated Mainoo in the same XI as Casemiro, Mason Mount and Bruno Fernandes against the Real Madrid of Jude Bellingham, Luka Modric, Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni.

Mainoo excelled against Arsenal duo Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard in New Jersey a week earlier. When Ten Hag passed us in the mixed zone of the Met Life Stadium, Mainoo's name was glowingly mentioned. Ten Hag kept his enthusiasm in check.

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United have fastidiously managed Mainoo's return to the first team. He started light training in mid-September and was involved in team sessions at the start of October. The 18-year-old turned out for the Under-23s at Salford and the Under-19s in the Uefa Youth League.

The end of the November internationals offers clubs a chance to reset, with their players back at base until March. If Ten Hag deliberately held Mainoo back until Everton away, then it was a masterstroke. United recorded their standout win of the campaign at Goodison Park in what was Mainoo's full Premier League debut.

Mainoo is integral to how Ten Hag wants United to play. He drops between the centre halves to collect the ball and his passing is prompt. Unlike Mount, he is an out-and-out central midfielder.

Mainoo had 58 touches at Everton. His partner, Scott McTominay, had 37.