The privilege of watching rising star Mainoo explode on the main stage

ONE of the innumerable privileges of covering United is witnessing the ascent of their prodigies.

- SAMUEL LUCKHURST

This correspondent has been present in the press box for the debuts of 41 academy graduates.

During the warm-up for the Europa League knockout tie against Midtjylland in February 2016, I was the first to announce an 18-year-old Marcus Rashford was about to be upgraded from substitute to starter.

The Manchester Evening News is duty-bound to invest in covering United but particularly the academy. The newspaper's coverage is arguably more comprehensive than the club's and the reward is clapping eyes on potential club greats.

Rashford only tallied one goal for the United Under-21s at Leigh Sports Village in December 2015 and their 6-1 thrashing of Leicester was one of the most vibrant performances by a United side I saw in a stultifying season.

That infectious smile of Kobbie Mainoo's is reminiscent of Rashford's. Wythenshawe and Stockport had representation at Wembley on Saturday. Rashford and Mainoo are Greater Manchester-born United fans. Rashford has settled a couple of derbies and now Mainoo has. For United followers who were born or grew up in the area, that is utopia.

Mainoo emerged from the United dressing room after the FA Cup final with his Paul Smith shirt unbuttoned and a club bucket hat nestled on his head. With his backpack loosely strapped on, he could have been mistaken for a Mancunian schoolboy revelling in a day trip to Blackpool Pier.