Erik ten Hag touts Kobbie Mainoo as next Manchester United academy star after Alejandro Garnacho contract

Erik ten Hag touted Kobbie Mainoo as the next Manchester United academy graduate with the potential to break into the first team squad.

Alejandro Garnacho signed a five-year contract last week, having only made his United debut in April last year. Garnacho, 18, has enjoyed a breakthrough season under Ten Hag since his maiden career start against FC Sheriff in October.

The Argentine has been instrumental in a number of wins for United and is on the verge of returning from a seven-week lay-off with an ankle injury.

Read more: United get injury boost

Ten Hag stressed expectations will rise now Garnacho's future is secure. "First of all, I think he has the prize and it's a prize. He also shows he can make the final step, not only in talent but also he made it.

"Now, it's a new start, a restart, because now expectations will be higher, the demands will definitely be higher. He is on his way, he is a strong character and that's why he's there in the moment on this level and he did it by himself.

"Now, more work is coming to go because the demands are higher, we expect more from him but it's great he made it. We will give young players opportunities but they have to deserve it.

"When I say 'give', translate to deserve. They have to deserve with their feet, show it on the pitch and it means invest a lot, invest in training performances, in the under-21s then wait for your moment and prove again.

"Alejandro is that step beyond but now the demands will be even more. He has to compete for a starting XI position. Every time is the same: you have to cross limits and every time you have to go in the next level, we go with him in the challenge but most important is the player has to do it."

Ten Hag has handed debuts to academy