Academy bursting with pride this weekend

Kobbie Mainoo has forced his way into the England side and been an influential figure as Gareth Southgate's side reached a second successive European Championship final.

The midfielder has shown such assuredness and a maturity way beyond his 19 years, not only in the rarefied atmosphere on the pitch but also with his sportsmanship at the end of the midweek semi-final, consoling the Dutch players following the final whistle, and numerous media duties he is performing.

Meanwhile, Alejandro Garnacho has helped Argentina reach the Copa America final, as they take on Colombia at Miami Gardens, determined to enhance an astounding record under coach Lionel Scaloni.

Both youngsters, part of our FA Youth Cup-winning side a mere two years ago, and the scorers in the Emirates FA Cup triumph over Manchester City, should be able to feel the warmth and support from all at Carrington and beyond.

Director of Academy, Nick Cox, admits it has been fabulous to see the progress and fully appreciates the magnitude of what has been achieved.

"We're really proud of them," Cox told us. "They've had a good month or so and the weekend could well be the icing on the cake for both of them. We're all looking forward to seeing how that will unfold.

"I think we're looking on with some pride, in how they're playing but also how they're representing our club, Kobbie, in particular, has been prominent in the media and it's just the way he has conducted himself on the pitch and in the media too. He's just being a real ambassador for our club and for the Academy. Like always has, he is acting with great decorum and humility. 

"He has that kind of laid-back, chilled-out attitude that we've seen from him for many, many years. But, obviously on the pitch, he has that steely determination and that desire and drive to want to be the best. It's great to watch."

The United fans have helped play their part in the development process, providing authentic experiences in the FA Youth Cup and EFL Trophy that have clearly helped prepare the players for the pressure-cooker situations they have faced.

"Our job really is to try to prepare the boys for any eventuality," explained Cox. "Whether they leave us or that's for our first team or at another club, they have got to be able to stand on their own two feet.

"So we're trying to shape the character. We're trying to help them represent themselves well in the public eye. We want to help them and even with your help [the media], so they have the ability to cope with a press conference and deal with the media. We want them to be able to cope with big occasions.

"So the FA Youth Cup final was a significant part of the development. The opportunity to play in front of over 65,000 fans in that stadium, under pressure with the expectation on them. It is pretty much how it is going to feel on a different scale but the same feelings on Sunday. So the fans that turned up that day have played a significant part in his journey.

"I'd like to think we've influenced his character but, ultimately, he's surrounded by lots of really positive influences, in terms of his friends and family. So, while we are part of that development, his outstanding character has probably been created by everyone that's been supporting him along the way."

The fact Mainoo and Garnacho can be such amazing role models must inspire their peers and the next generation at Carrington.

"That's always been the case at this club, hasn't it?" agreed Cox. "You're never too far away from someone who you can really connect with, who is achieving something you want to try to imitate. So, you know, Marcus Rashford goes into the first-team squad and drags Scott McTominay to go on, kind of like a chain reaction.

"Alejandro probably got in ahead of Kobbie. They played in the same youth team together and then he dragged Kobbie along. So, naturally, what will happen next is we've got a group of dedicated young players with a dream, who are driven and determined and they can really identify with Kobbie and it will be an inspiration to them to try to copy and imitate everything he's achieving.

"I think, when you have a role model that is just a few years older than you, maybe lives a few streets away from you, is sat in the same classroom that you sat in, or has trained in the same place you've trained in, that makes it real. It makes it tangible. It makes it possible and feel like a realistic thing that is achievable. And that is a really important ingredient in our programme."

Whatever happens in the two finals, the excitement at seeing the boys back in the red shirt once the season kicks off next month is already tangible. While they are still very young, it is hoped they can continue to grow in influence in Erik ten Hag's side.

"Look, we would love that they both play and we want them to come home as winners," said Cox. "Who knows what might happen? I think we are all intrigued and excited to see and to support them at the weekend but, regardless, they both had a really good season. They've enjoyed really good summers.

"I think those experiences will only add to their development and to their progression. We're looking forward to having them back because, obviously, we want them to know how proud we are. We want to be part of the process of celebrating what they've achieved. But, you know, they will both arrive back looking forwards, rather than looking backwards.

"They've both got that quality that I think really good players have, which is ambition and drive. They don't want to stand still but are looking forward to what they might achieve next. So it's exciting to see how they return but, more importantly, we're really looking forward to seeing their continued development because both of them are doing really, really well. But they're young and have got work to do.

"It isn't going to be plain sailing. They're really ambitious and, if they're going to go and achieve what they want to achieve, then there's a lot of hard work to be done and a lot of support that they are going to need from all the staff here, in particular the first-team staff.

"For both of them, when we first them; I first met Kobbie when he would have been six or seven, Garna a little bit later as he obviously arrived here at 16. If you told either of them that they were going to have the season they have just had, they would have snapped your hands off."

Tom Heaton is also with England, as the training goalkeeper, and his influence was cited by Jude Bellingham after the win over the Netherlands. One of Jordan Pickford's understudies is Dean Henderson, who also came through the ranks at United, and is currently with Crystal Palace.

"Of course, we're also proud the Academy also has representation among the goalkeepers in Germany," added Cox. "It would be fabulous to see them help share in any success come Sunday night, and more credit to them as individuals plus all the staff who have helped shape their particular journeys."