Cox: We’re really proud of him

The 17-year-old replaced Marcel Sabitzer against the Foxes, hitting another landmark in what is turning out to be a memorable season for the Academy graduate.

Mainoo made his first-team debut in United’s 3-0 win over Charlton Athletic in the Carabao Cup quarter-final back in January, and has featured on several occasions on the bench for Erik ten Hag’s side.

On Sunday, with the Reds in full control at Old Trafford, Ten Hag handed Kobbie his Premier League bow.

Earlier this season, after Mainoo had made two first-team appearances (Leicester was his third), United’s head of Academy, Nick Cox, conducted an interview with club media, where he discussed the progress of the teenager.

“[We are] always delighted when a young boy makes a debut, particularly when they start a game,” said Cox. “It’s very different coming off the bench than starting a game, so he’s had to earn that [against Charlton].

“The manager [Ten Hag] doesn’t do favours. You play in the team if you’re good enough.

“You don’t get special treatment because you’re a young lad who’s come through the system, you’ve got to earn it. He’s done that and that’s great.”

Cox says it was a proud moment to see another player who has been at United since childhood make his first-team breakthrough, and adds that working under Ten Hag will only benefit his development further.

“There’s a long way to go,” he said.  “I’m obviously really proud of him, really pleased for him, and for his family.

“He’s been with us since a very young age. A lot of people have had a lot of hard work and effort to support him and navigate him on a journey, and now he falls under the care of the manager and his team.

“He’s going to be well looked after because they’re very passionate about young players and making sure that their team consists of young players – particularly homegrown ones.

“[Ten Hag is] teaching him exactly how he wants him to play, should he become a regular member of the first team and play on a regular basis at some point in the future.

“You want to see players stay in the building, work with the Academy, work with the first team, and find their way into the first team under our care. That is the ideal journey."