Erik ten Hag touted Kobbie Mainoo as the next Manchester United academy graduate with the potential to break into the first team squad.
Alejandro Garnacho signed a five-year contract last week, having only made his United debut in April last year. Garnacho, 18, has enjoyed a breakthrough season under Ten Hag since his maiden career start against FC Sheriff in October.
The Argentine has been instrumental in a number of wins for United and is on the verge of returning from a seven-week lay-off with an ankle injury.
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Ten Hag stressed expectations will rise now Garnacho's future is secure. "First of all, I think he has the prize and it's a prize. He also shows he can make the final step, not only in talent but also he made it.
"Now, it's a new start, a restart, because now expectations will be higher, the demands will definitely be higher. He is on his way, he is a strong character and that's why he's there in the moment on this level and he did it by himself.
"Now, more work is coming to go because the demands are higher, we expect more from him but it's great he made it. We will give young players opportunities but they have to deserve it.
"When I say 'give', translate to deserve. They have to deserve with their feet, show it on the pitch and it means invest a lot, invest in training performances, in the under-21s then wait for your moment and prove again.
"Alejandro is that step beyond but now the demands will be even more. He has to compete for a starting XI position. Every time is the same: you have to cross limits and every time you have to go in the next level, we go with him in the challenge but most important is the player has to do it."
Ten Hag has handed debuts to academy graduates Charlie McNeill and Mainoo this season, with the former on loan at Newport County and the latter currently out injured.
Mainoo, 18, travelled with the United squad to Wembley for the League Cup final and is widely tipped to be the next youngster to earn a full-time promotion to the first-team squad.
Ten Hag's development of youngsters at Ajax was a key factor in his appointment as United manager last year. "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. We have a big tournament in under-15s, Man United was always there, I think it's the biggest tournament for under-15 teams. But also in the past everyone knew and talked about Busby Babes and also generation 92.
"Man United has a big history of youth development and to develop them and progress them into the first team. In our talks last year, that was one of the points we talked about
"Of course,m because I was in. Ajax, Ajax was the same as Man United in developing young players, giving young players opportunities to work on their personality if they feel that they are good people and they have a good life and they can contribute in society.
"But we want to develop players into the first team. So I think we are also in that perspective in a good way: Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo is also on his way. There is a pathway to the first team but they have to deserve it.
"We make structures with the academy, brilliant work, we work together with the under-21s and training into the first team but talent has to do it by itself."
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