Former Manchester United star, Juan Mata, has waxed lyrical on Manchester United starlets, Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo.
In a season of darkness, two shining beacons of hope have been the play of academy products Garnacho and Mainoo.
The Red Devils have struggled immensely in this campaign as they have barely been able to secure a positive goal difference and find themselves in a real fight for even Conference League football.
It is true that they can look forward to an FA Cup final later this month but this should hardly be the yardstick for measuring success for a team as big as United.
However, one shining light has been the rise of certain young players with Omari Forson, Willy Kambwala and Ethan Wheatley all making their senior debuts this season.
However, what has impressed pundits and fans the most is the role played by Mainoo and Garnacho, as they have become indispensable members of the first team in such a short period of time.
Former player Mata has become the latest to wax lyrical over the meteoric rise of the two teenagers.
Commenting on the rise of the players to the club’s official website he claimed, “[I’m] very [impressed]. I mean, I knew Alejandro, I know what he’s capable of.
“He was already showing signs of how good he could be. I think this season he made a step forward. He’s more consistent. He’s performing at a very high level, almost week in, week out, scoring incredible goals.
“I’m very happy for him, for his family too. He deserves it.”
The Argentinian was briefly a teammate of the Spaniard as Garnacho actually made his debut in Mata’s penultimate game for the Red Devils against Chelsea in 2022.
One player he would have probably been less aware of is Mainoo, although he has not been any less impressed by the Englishman.
“I’m really impressed with Kobbie. Of course I haven’t seen much of him before, but he looks like he’s been playing for the club for longer than [he has].
“[In his] first games for United he already looks so mature. He looks like a player. With the ball, without the ball [he’s] focused. [He’s got a] bright future ahead.”
Mata also spoke of the positive impression the Stockport native has made on the rest of the squad and claimed that his current captain only had positive things to say about him as a human being.
“Bruno [Fernandes] tells me he’s also a great kid. He listens. He wants to learn. He’s humble. So, he has everything to succeed.”
While both players have had a drop-off in form as of late, this is only to be expected with the huge amount of games they have both been asked to play this season.
The teens will be aiming to win their first piece of silverware of their senior careers on the 25th of May at Wembley and if Erik ten Hag’s side are able to do it, it is logical to assume that both starlets will play a key role in it.
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