Manchester United teenager Kobbie Mainoo has signed a new long-term contract at Old Trafford.

The 17-year-old midfielder, one of eight United academy talents to play for the first team this season, earned his full debut in last month’s Carabao Cup victory over Charlton.

According to Sportsmail, Mainoo has signed a four-year contract with the option to extend it by another year.

United stated that Mainoo has played twice for Erik ten Hag’s senior squad in 2022-23. He has also been included to Erik ten Hag’s matchday squad for six Premier League games. United added: ‘Mainoo will look to hone his skills behind the scenes and continue his growth at the club in the next months and years.’

Stockport starlet Mainoo is quickly emerging as a player Ten Hag can rely on.

Manchester United prodigy Kobbie Mainoo has signed a new four-year contract with the club.

Mainoo poses with United’s academy head Nick Cox (left) and manager Erik ten Hag (right).

When he made his first-team debut against Charlton Athletic in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals last month, several staff members thought the 17-year-old was ‘unlucky’ not to have had his chance sooner. He played for barely over an hour before being replaced by Casemiro, a serial winner who he admits to watching carefully.

Mainoo, a vital member of the FA Youth Cup-winning team against Nottingham Forest last season, has continued to improve.

In addition to impressing Ten Hag in training, he was named man of the match in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Everton during the World Cup and scored against Cadiz during United’s warm-weather training camp in December.

After earning his Carabao Cup debut, Ten Hag stated that the teenager impressed at United’s winter training camp during the World Cup break, which led to him being handed the opportunity.

‘The most essential thing is to win the game and advance to the next round,’ Ten Hag told MUTV.

Mainoo (center) made his senior Manchester United debut against Charlton last month.

‘We want to make it to the semi-finals, so this is an important game.

‘For him (Mainoo), this is a fantastic opportunity; he did exceptionally well at the winter camp in Spain. In addition, he performed admirably in a friendly versus Everton.

‘He earned to play, so I’m pleased to give him the opportunity; it’s all about deserving it.’

Mainoo, who is strong, quick, and fearless, began his junior career with Cheadle and Gatley before being signed by United at the age of nine. He has been compared to another former United academy graduate, Paul Pogba, but admits he still has a lot of potential to improve both physically and technically.

Staff remark that, for all the accolades he receives, one of Mainoo’s most valuable assets is his readiness to listen.

Defender Harry Maguire took time to calm the youngster’s anxieties ahead of his January debut, and Mainoo later credited his established teammates, saying: ‘I’ve been in training with the lads quite a few times. They all made me feel welcome and offered words of advise and encouragement. So I felt at home.

Ten Hag is a big supporter of Mainoo, and the team has now given him a long-term contract.

The 17-year-old was given the start after impressing Ten Hag during training this winter.

‘To be able to closely follow Casemiro and watch him in training is an honour, and for him to come on for me is unbelievable.

‘I looked at the teamsheet and started. I was surprised, but I needed to perform my job. Sure, there were some butterflies, but it was more exhilarating.

Several of Europe’s top clubs had been keeping an eye on Mainoo’s progress following some of his UEFA Youth League performances, aware that his path could become complicated if United tried again for big names like West Ham’s Declan Rice this summer, but the homegrown teenager’s loyalty to United has never wavered.

‘The ultimate goal is to stay with the first team and continue to get more games,’ he stated. ‘I want to stay at this club; I’ve been here all my life.’