Man Utd Must Trust Academy Stars as Mainoo Shines Again

· GiveMeSport

Kobbie Mainoo's standout performance highlights Manchester United's in-house solutions.

Mainoo has been one of United's most consistent performers this season, and he could be one of the first names on the team sheet despite the Red Devils investing heavily in the middle of the park.

Mainoo burst onto the scene through United's academy, a method of player production that the club have struggled with in recent years.

Looking at United's first-team squad, there are a real lack of academy players being given opportunities, while the likes of Toby Collyer were sold in the summer, and Harry Amass was seemingly available at one point.

It does, however, show that United's problems could be solved in-house. The Red Devils have struggled for consistency so far this season, and the answers might be closer than they think.

Mainoo was thrust into the senior squad out of nowhere when he ran the show against Everton a few years ago, and he's barely looked back since.

Barring a difficult period under Ruben Amorim, Mainoo, described as being the 'best player on the pitch' again by Samuel Luckhurst , has been a key cog in the side, which undoubtedly pleases United supporters immensely, seeing one of their own coming through.

It's a method that United need to try to replicate more. Whether that means more investment in the academy or simply giving youngsters more opportunities.

Amass could be a prime example. Luke Shaw was unavailable for the Champions League game, and the left-back position was a topic of discussion during the summer transfer window.

Maybe Amass could be the long-term answer as Shaw's replacement, rather than investing heavily in a new left-back.

United did appear insistent on trying to bring Lewis Hall to the club from Newcastle in the summer, while Amass was linked with a permanent departure.

Rather than blocking the pathways of youngsters and allowing them to depart, the answer for United could be to keep them at the club and let them develop.

Amass was given a rare opportunity against Sabah in the Champions League, but United did have a healthy lead at the time.

United need to find that next Mainoo coming through the academy and start producing talents on the regular, just like they did when the likes of David Beckham, Gary Neville, and Paul Scholes all burst onto the scene.

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