Man Utd fans spot academy player Erik ten Hag has plans for after 'very friendly' embrace at team meal

Manchester United fans think they have spotted the next academy player likely to be promoted to the first team by Erik ten Hag.

Ten Hag’s topsy-turvy two-year spell at Old Trafford has been marred by various difficulties on and off the pitch.

However, one aspect of the Dutchman’s reign that United fans have enjoyed is his propensity to blood youth into the first team.

Of course, 18-year-old Kobbie Mainoo has been among United’s most consistent performers this term, having only earned his first start in November.

Mainoo has gone on to become a key cog in Ten Hag’s midfield, while he has been widely tipped to start alongside Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham for England in this summer’s European Championships.

Meanwhile, the likes of Alejandro Garnacho and Willy Kambwala have also come through under the current United boss.

And United fans think they have spotted the next player in line to feature for United’s first team after Ten Hag congratulated the club’s under-18s for securing the league title.

In a clip posted by the United's social media, Ten Hag is seen working his way around a table, shaking hands with the youngsters while they eat a meal.

And fans have noted that the Dutchman seems particularly fond of 17-year-old left-back Harry Amass, who was involved in the matchday squad in United’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool earlier this month.

Erik ten Hag congratulating United’s U18 champions at Carrington.

A very friendly exchange with Harry Amass, in particular. I’d love to see him debut before the season’s out.pic.twitter.com/SotsvudU83

— Alex Turk (@AlexCTurk) April 17, 2024

One person said: “He loves amass from what I see.”

Another wrote: “The way he congratulated Amass you can tell he likes him.”

A third said: “The way he looked at Amass!!!! He's surely on the verge of his debut.”

A fourth said: “Amass is his favourite” while a fifth added; “Amass gets the Mainoo treatment.”

A sixth added: “Erik ten Hag congratulating United’s U18 champions at Carrington. A very friendly exchange with Harry Amass, in particular. I’d love to see him debut before the season’s out.”