Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag raised eyebrows when he promoted three Red Devils wonderkids to first-team training earlier this term, but only one has made the grade so far.
Back in September of last year, ahead of United's first group game of their Europa League campaign, the Dutchman took the step of promoting the young trio while morale was sky high. Following a shaky start to the season, at this stage United had four wins in their last four and had just beaten league-leaders and rivals Arsenal.
With the Europa League not viewed as United's priority, it seems as if Ten Hag saw competition and particularly the group stage as a chance to blood some of the club's younger talent and see if they have what it takes.
In the days leading up their opening game against Spanish outfit Real Sociedad, the United boss rewarded three youngsters from the academy and integrated them into first-team training. The trio in question was made up of defender Tyler Fredricson, midfielder Kobbie Mainoo and striker Charlie McNeil.
At the time, McNeil was the most known to the United faithful, having joined the Red Devils directly from fierce rivals Manchester City and boasting an astonishing record in front of goal at youth level. The striker has more than 600 goals to his name in academy football and at the time of his training call-up had notched 43 in 63 games in the red of United.
Therefore, it comes as a surprise that five months down the line, it is midfield ace Mainoo that is the only one to make a first-team appearance this season.
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The 17-year-old is clearly highly thought of by Ten Hag, who has handed him minutes in both the Carabao and FA Cup. Mainoo earned 17 minutes of playing time in the 3-1 FA Cup win over Reading last month and impressed with the limited time he had.
It was a similar story in the Carabao Cup win over Charlton, where Mainoo was handed his first start and lasted an hour as United ran out 3-0 winners at the quarter-final stage in front of the Old Trafford faithful.
Speaking before that game, Ten Hag explained why Mainoo had been given the nod.
"For him it's a great opportunity, he did very well during the winter camp in Spain," the United boss claimed. "He also did very well against Everton in a friendly.
"He deserved to play, so I'm happy to give him the opportunity - it's about deserving it. He has to (be ready), we have to step up, I think we have a strong team today."
Those comments should resonate with McNeil, Fredricson and any other United academy prospect - you have to deserve your place in Ten Hag's team.
