Erik ten Hag sees ‘next Kobbie Mainoo’ as future Man Utd first-team star as fans predict breakthrough season

FANS are predicting a “breakthrough” campaign for a Manchester United wonderkid that is highly-regarded by Erik ten Hag.

The Dutchman is still in limbo regarding his future at Old Trafford as he waits to see whether Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos axe him.

GettyKobbie Mainoo capped a stunning breakthrough season with FA Cup glory[/caption]

ESPNAfter last year’s League Cup victory, Erik ten Hag was pictured speaking to Mainoo, and the Manchester United manager did something similar with a different youth player after the FA Cup win[/caption]

Ten Hag won the League Cup in his first season in charge and led the Red Devils to a top four finish to ensure Champions League qualification.

But this term has proven to be a lot more difficult as he came under huge pressure following a series of dreadful results.

United finished eighth, the lowest in their Premier League history, but ended it on a high by defeating neighbours Man City to lift the FA Cup at Wembley on Saturday.

That secured them Europa League football for next term thanks to teenage star Kobbie Mainoo’s matchwinner.

The 19-year-old midfielder’s emergence from the academy into a first-team regular, and the England squad, has been one of the few bright spots this term.

Ten Hag had a famous moment with Mainoo, who was still a relative unknown, after the League Cup win over Newcastle in February 2023.

Now fans are convinced that he has picked Toby Collyer as his “next Mainoo” after he was spotted deep in conversation with the ace during the Wembley celebrations last week.

Ten Hag made a beeline for the 20-year-old, who had travelled with the squad as a spare man, and embraced him on the pitch.

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BBCTen Hag was spotted talking to Collyer at Wembley[/caption]

GettyToby Collyer is hoping to follow in the footsteps of his fellow youngster[/caption]

The boss gestured to the fans while speaking in the ear of Collyer in scenes reminiscent of that with Mainoo.

The Telegraph reports that the defensive midfielder “is regarded as a player with first-team potential” by the manager.

And that led to fans speculating about big things ahead for the youngster after seeing his chat with Ten Hag.

One fan wrote on X: “I saw Ten Hag chatting to him like Mainoo last year in the Carabao final.”

Another said: “Spoke to him like he spoke to Mainoo so next season might be a breakthrough for him.”

A third added: “Ten Hag was talking with him at the end of the cup final game just like he did with Kobbie after we won the Carabao Cup last year. I already know he’s gonna cook for us next season.”

And a fourth said: “First was Kobbie Mainoo… Now is Toby Collyer.”

The defensive midfielder could potentially fill a void left by Casemiro as the veteran Brazilian continues to be linked with a move to Saudi Arabia.

He is best-deployed in a number six role which allows him to dictate play.

Collyer arrived at Old Trafford from Brighton in 2022 and has already been recognised at international level.

He has caps for England at both under-16 and U17 – captaining each age group.

The star is under contract at United until 2025 but is still yet to play competitively for the first-team.

However, Ten Hag did get a look at him last pre-season in their friendly against Wrexham in the USA and he is expected to travel with the seniors again when they go on tour after the summer.