Manchester United make decision on Kobbie Mainoo

Manchester United youngster Kobbie Mainoo has been informed he will be a part of Erik ten Hag's first-team squad next season.

Mainoo, 18, has long been considered the shining light of his age group in the academy and the Manchester Evening News understands the midfielder will be kept around the first-team this season instead of being sent on loan.

It's understood a loan was possible for Mainoo, but the decision has been made to keep him around the squad. Alejandro Garnacho took that route to the first-team last term and he's now an established player at senior level.

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There was loan interest in Mainoo from top-end League One sides in the January transfer window but United turned it down.

The youngster was handed his first-team debut against Charlton in the Carabao Cup on January 10 and he made his Premier League debut just a few weeks later when making an appearance from the bench against Leicester.

Ten Hag started Mainoo in the opening pre-season games against Leeds in Oslo and against Lyon in Edinburgh. The Stockport-born lad has now travelled to the USA where United will play a series of friendlies across the States.

Mainoo can be used anywhere in a midfield three, but it's thought he will be best equipped to play in the No.8 role long-term. The club's staff have challenged him in different roles in Under-21 games with a view to accelerating his development.

It's understood Mainoo, who only just celebrated his 18th birthday in April, has impressed his senior teammates and sources have described him as 'a real natural talent