Is this the next Kobbie Mainoo? Man United boss Erik Ten Hag spotted in conversation with another young midfielder after FA Cup final victory… after his pep talk last year helped propel the 19-year-old years to fame

Manchester United fans are expecting another academy star to break into the first team next season after spotting Erik ten Hag in conversation with a player following Saturday’s FA Cup triumph .

The footage shows Ten Hag – who it is not yet clear whether he will be sacked by the club or allowed to continue – with his arm around 20-year-old Toby Collyer.

United fans were quick to draw comparisons between Ten Hag speaking to Collyer and a previous interaction which saw him sideline Kobbie Mainoo after winning the Carabao Cup last season.

Fast forward to February last year and Ten Hag was seen in conversation with then 17-year-old Mainoo, who had yet to make his first-team debut but was seen as a star for the future.

Mainoo has since become one of United’s players of the season, scoring the winning goal in Saturday’s FA Cup final and being selected in Gareth Southgate’s squad for the European Championship.

Manchester United fans are expecting another academy star to break into the first team next season in the form of Toby Collyer.

United manager Erik Ten Hag was seen in conversation with Collyer after Saturday’s FA Cup final victory.

While Mainoo was immersed in post-match celebrations alongside Alejandro Garnacho and his teammates, Collyer found himself in a one-on-one chat with Ten Hag.

Ten Hag could be seen with his arm wrapped around the defensive midfielder while pointing out various things on the pitch and ending the exchange by grabbing the youngster by the head and clapping.

And fans think they have found their next star in the making as United supporters took to social media after viewing the footage with one fan posting online: ‘We are going to have a generational team.’

Another similarly added: “So next season he’ll score in the FA Cup final, let’s do it,” while a third post said: “We’ve seen this script before.”

Others thanked Ten Hag for taking the time to speak with Collyer, adding: “This side of Erik goes too unnoticed. The guy embodies the spirit of #MUFC and the results are visible.

Collyer is still early in his career at the English giants after joining the club as the only signing during Ralf Rangnick’s short interim reign.

The academy star joined Brighton in March 2022 and has ambitions to follow in Mainoo’s footsteps and make the senior team.

Ten Hag previously spoke to Kobbie Mainoo (right) in the same manner after last season’s Carabao Cup title triumph.

He has mainly played for the club’s under-21 team since signing a three-year contract at Old Trafford, but has been a regular figure in training sessions run by Ten Hag throughout the season .

Collyer came close to making his first-team debut when he was named on the bench for a Premier League encounter against Crystal Palace and again on the final day of the season at Brighton, but failed to get on field.

The Worthing-born player is yet to secure a permanent position but is widely regarded as a midfielder who enjoys glowing reviews and averages 13km per game.

Speaking about Collyer in February, Ten Hag said: “He showed good things and he showed potential.”