What Erik ten Hag is doing behind the scenes to help Kobbie Mainoo and other Manchester United youngsters

It was going to be the biggest night of Kobbie Mainoo's career, but the scream of frustration he let out within the first couple of minutes of Manchester United's friendly with Real Madrid in Houston revealed his game was over before it had begun.

There was a degree of surprise at seeing Mainoo's name in the starting line-up at the NRG Stadium, especially when the rest of the side looked like Erik ten Hag's strongest heading into the new season. Casemiro, Mason Mount and Bruno Fernandes were involved.

When Ten Hag has more options going forward it is likely Fernandes would shift back centrally and Mainoo drop to the bench, but in the space of a few weeks in pre-season he looks to have leapfrogged Scott McTominay, Fred and Donny van de Beek in the pecking order. Despite the agony he suffered against Real, Mainoo has had an incredible summer and he looks to have a big future at Old Trafford.

In his absence in Texas, Jude Bellingham stole the show, but it would have been fascinating to see the 18-year-old and the 20-year-old doing battle for the first 45 minutes in the prestige pre-season friendly.

ALSO READ: Bellingham might have made a different United decision with Ten Hag in charge

Mainoo has wowed Ten Hag with his ability in training and the games he has played. He made three first-team appearances last season and it could have been more but for an injury towards the end of the campaign. This season, fitness permitting, he should expect to be making 15 appearances, at least, if not more.

Mainoo is getting chances under Ten Hag because he has taken to the Dutchman's demands like a duck to water. We've seen in pre-season that he knows what positions to be in, when to cover the full-backs, when to shift wide and when