Manchester United youngsters Kobbie Mainoo and Rhys Bennett have been promoted to first-team training under Erik ten Hag.
Mainoo was spotted training ahead of United’s League Cup match against Burnley on Wednesday.
Due to their engagement with the senior squad, both Mainoo and Bennett were absent from the U-21s’ encounter against Bolton in the Papa John’s Trophy on Tuesday.
Mainoo played in both of United’s friendlies in Spain, against Cadiz and Real Betis.
Bennett entered the game against Betis when fellow academy graduate Teden Mengi was injured.
According to the Manchester Evening News, “it’s known Mainoo is well-liked among academy personnel and he’s considered the leading light of his age group.”
“The Stockport-born kid is yet to make his debut for the club, but he was named on the bench two months ago against Newcastle.”
Both teens received acclaim for their performances in United’s friendly defeats against Spanish opponents.
Mainoo, in particular, demonstrated his class in the middle of the park every time he was on the pitch, demonstrating why he garnered so much attention.
The 17-year-old looked extremely comfortable on the ball and allowed his technical brilliance to speak for him.
Bennett also performed admirably alongside Victor Lindelof in the defeat against Real Betis.
The 19-year-old defender, who captained the U18s to a Youth Cup victory last season, held his own admirably, which explains why Ten Hag chose to promote him to first-team training alongside Mainoo.
