Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag name-checked teenage midfielder Kobbie Mainoo when discussing the young talent at Old Trafford.

The 18-year-old made his first-team debut for the Red Devils against Charlton Athletic in the EFL Cup in January, before appearing in the Premier League against Leicester City in February.

Mainoo signed his first professional deal with the 20-time English champions last May, and he was last on the bench against Fulham in the FA Cup last month.

Ten Hag discussed the future of Man United during his press conference on Wednesday afternoon, with Alejandro Garnacho signing a new long-term contract at Old Trafford.

Mainoo was picked out by Ten Hag as a star of the future, with the Englishman looking to build on his three first-team appearances for the Red Devils.

"I know the culture of Man United, I knew before, of course I was long employed in youth football, I met several times Man United in big tournaments in the Netherlands," Ten Hag told reporters on Wednesday.

"In U15, Man United was always there, it's the biggest tournament for U15 teams but in the past everyone knew and talked about Busby Babes and generation 92, Man United has a big history of youth development and in our talks last year that was one of the points we talked about.

"Ajax was the same, as Man United, in developing young players, giving young players opportunities to work on their personality if they feel they are good persons and have a good life and can contribute in society but we want to develop [players into the first team].

"I think we are in that perspective, Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo is also on his way. There is a pathway to the first-team but they have to deserve it. We have structures in the academy, brilliant work, U21 and training into the first team but talent has to do it by itself."

Ten Hag also opened up on Thursday's Premier League clash with Brighton & Hove Albion, with the two teams meeting in a repeat of the FA Cup semi-final last month.

Man United beat the Seagulls on penalties to book their spot in the final against Manchester City, and the Dutchman is expecting Roberto De Zerbi's side to seek revenge in the league contest.

"It's a normal reaction, I think everyone involved in top sport, if you get beaten you want to have revenge and that is normal they have a huge motivation to beat us but we have to match that and do more, show more hunger than them to win this game and willingness is the word for tomorrow," said Ten Hag.

"I never want to talk during the season of pride or satisfaction, you know my statement satisfaction leads to laziness. We have six games to go and every game we want to win, therefore you need full focus, full energy, full preparation and tomorrow is definitely going to be a fight and we have to be ready for that fight and the points."

Man United are fourth in the Premier League table, seven points ahead of fifth-placed Liverpool with a game in hand on the Merseyside outfit. body check tags ::