Academy fast track causing Erik ten Hag to “already plan” replacing Man United signing

Erik ten Hag is already planning on replacing Sofyan Amrabat at Manchester United after ‘fast-tracking’ Kobbie Mainoo into his team.

In the last month, Kobbie Mainoo has risen to a high level of importance at Manchester United due to a series of injuries in midfield under Erik ten Hag.

He has started three Premier League games, all away from home against Everton, Newcastle, and Liverpool, earning both plaudits from those around football and a firm spot in Ten Hag’s first-team squad.

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Meanwhile, after signing for United in the summer window, Sofyan Amrabat has failed to live up to expectations, with the player expected to be dropped as soon as Casemiro returns from injury in mid-January.

Amrabat is now expected to leave United in the summer – he is currently on loan at Old Trafford with a £20 million buy-option in his contract, but Ten Hag is expecting not to trigger this.

A source close to Manchester United told The Sun: “Amrabat is very unlikely to stay at Manchester United after the summer.

“They have an option to make the deal a permanent one, but as things stand, the manager is not making plans to do that. There’s no doubt that Amrabat is a good player, but there are question marks against whether he is the right fit for the Premier League.

“He did very well in Italy, but the pace of the game is very different, and this is an area where he has struggled since arriving at United. There may well be interest from other clubs in Europe, but as things stand, he won’t be staying at United.”

Further to this, the source also described that one of the reasons for this decision is that Mainoo is seen as “the future” of United and that he has been “fast-tracked” into the squad from the academy to cover the hole that Amrabat’s disappointment has created.

“Kobbie is the future,” the source continued. “Ten Hag has had a lot of criticism this season, a lot of it justified. But one thing he does deserve credit for is spotting the potential in Mainoo.

“Ten Hag regards the kid as one of the most talented youngsters he’s ever worked with. He’s that good. He wasn’t planning on using him as part of the team this season, but needs must and he’s been fast-tracked into the side.

“He could well be a starter come the beginning of the new season, and everyone at the club is excited about the massive potential the player has.”