Kobbie Mainoo made his full
Manchester United debut at the end of November and his debut for
England by the end of March, so it's been an unforgettable four months for the youngster. The Manchester Evening News provide the most detailed coverage of United's academy and the match report from when Mainoo played for the Under-21s against Salford in October read: "The midfielder has outgrown academy
Football and his talent is needed in the first team." Erik ten Hag has started Mainoo in 11 of United's 12 games across all competitions in 2024 and his talent is now being tapped into by England manager Gareth Southgate. ALSO READ: My world came crashing down - but now I'm thriving on loan ALSO READ: 'I don't want to add fuel to the fire' - Bellingham's verdict on Mainoo Mainoo has been the biggest United-related story of the international break and it was excellent to see him make his first start for England against
Belgium at Wembley on Tuesday night. The 18-year-old is the most recent success story from the academy and here is a round-up of the latest news from the club's youth set-up, compiled in notebook format. The Graduate Lounge United academy director Nick Cox is the man behind a lot of great work and he shared photos this week of the newly created 'The Graduate Lounge' at Carrington. The space is a designated area for parents and families at the academy and it celebrates players from United's youth programme who have made a first-team debut. There is a buffet area, which will serve free hot food and refreshments, and a striking mural of academy greats, from Sir Bobby Charlton to Paul Scholes and Marcus Rashford. Names of every graduate can be found on the wall and it's another example of the academy doing things right. The small details matter and Cox understands that. United have opened an area for parents and families. (Image: @Coxy3012 via Twitter) The MEN's interview with Fish Last week, the MEN contacted Will Fish to speak about his loan with Hibernian, his development and what might come next for him. He's a local Manchester lad, born in Denton , and he's been on United's books since he joined the academy when he was just seven. Although Fish only celebrated his 21st birthday last month, he's started 39 of a possible 41 games in all competitions and, admirably, he's delivered week in, week out. It was enjoyable to speak to him and it was obvious from the conversation that he's hungry to continue playing regularly and that he won't go back to academy football. Fish has the quality and personality to forge a brilliant career, regardless of whether that's in Manchester or not, and you can read the exclusive interview by clicking here . Mainoo continues to dazzle As mentioned earlier, it's been an unforgettable four months for Mainoo and he shared a photo of himself as a little boy in an England shirt after his appearance on Tuesday. Mainoo was just one year old when England played at the 2006
World Cup in
Germany, the tournament in which the Three Lions lost to Portugal in the quarter-finals. The youngster celebrates his 19th birthday next month and he'll certainly have reason to celebrate. Mainoo as a toddler in an England shirt. Gore receives injury blow Last week's notebook highlighted that Gore had continued to be absent for Port Vale, despite the initial assessment of his injury suggesting he'd be out for a month. Unfortunately, following comments from Port Vale manager Darren Moore at the weekend, sources have now confirmed he could be out for the rest of the season with the issue. Moore said: "With Dan Gore, that's an ongoing, persistent problem. Whether we feel he's going to be back for any part of this season, we're not too sure. "It's not looking too good for him at the moment and it's a persistent one that we'll still monitor." Club sources have told the MEN the injury is not serious but have conceded it's a shame the issue has prevented Gore from making a mark during his first loan away. What's happening with McNeill? The MEN revealed in November that Charlie McNeill was set to be recalled from his loan with Stevenage due to his lack of game time. The club thought a temporary spell away would be of huge benefit to McNeill, but it didn't work as hoped and he returned to Carrington. McNeill won the 2021/22 FA Youth Cup and he's one of four players, alongside Mainoo, Gore and Alejandro Garnacho, to have made senior debuts from that team. The plan was always to keep him around the first team after his stint with Stevenage and he's made a handful of appearances for the Under-21s. McNeill is getting back up to speed, training with the first team and he should leave on loan again this summer. He enjoyed his previous loan stint with Newport County and a return could be on the cards.