Alejandro Garnacho, Rasmus Hojlund & Kobbie Mainoo offer Man Utd hope for a brighter future - and an unlikely top-four finish

Ten Hag might not be prone to belly laughs like Jurgen Klopp or known for fist-pumping celebrations like Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola, but as he watched his three youngsters having the time of their lives, he could not help but grin like a Cheshire cat.

"I think that picture encompasses a lot and when they are together that is how we want to play football, with that adventure," the manager said. "With that celebration, I liked it. It is showing we are doing it [with] togetherness. Every game, it looks like they are growing, they are improving and adapt to a higher level. That is what we need at Manchester United."

Garnacho's deflected goal which sparked the already iconic celebration gave United a two-goal cushion, and the Argentina forward rounded off a day to remember by scoring his side's third and final goal with the help of Hojlund, who combined with Scott McTominay to win the ball back in West Ham's half. It was a fitting way to crown stunning performances from the two forwards, as well as Mainoo.

The teenage midfielder had built on his spectacular winning goal in the 97th minute against Wolves with a mature and daring display against West Ham, dictating United's play after being given licence to roam thanks to Casemiro sitting deeper to protect the back four.

"The goal tells us a lot about young players, very young, I would say. But they get used to the Premier League standards, they can do it," Ten Hag said.

United has always been a fertile breeding ground for young players, dating back to the 'Busby Babes' of the 1950s and 1960s, and passing through the celebrated 'Class of '92' containing David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and the Neville brothers.

Ten Hag is a fitting coach to lead the latest revolution of youngsters as he made his name as a manager by blooding talented teenagers such as Matthjis de Ligt, Frenkie de Jong and Donny van de Beek at Ajax, taking the team to the brink of a Champions League final.

That Ajax team also had seasoned operators like Daley Blind and Dusan Tadic among their ranks, and Ten Hag knows it is up to the likes of Casemiro and captain Bruno Fernandes to get the best out of this latest golden generation.

"We are building a team, we signed young players, and we give them opportunities," Ten Hag added. "This is a process with ups and downs and we have to realise this. Our experienced players will help them, and we need them and they will help the young players perform.

"The future for Manchester United is very good because we have high potential. They are together and want to play football with adventure and enjoyment."

The 'togetherness' Ten Hag spoke of between Hojlund, Mainoo and Garnacho, which is now being seen on the pitch, is the product of a close relationship off it. Mainoo and Garnacho have known each other for close to four years, with the midfielder, who grew up in Stockport, moving to United's academy when he was nine years old.

Garnacho joined him in the club's youth set-up in September 2020, and their bond was truly forged during their triumphant FA Youth Cup run the following season. Both players started every game, with the latter stages being played at Old Trafford. And when Mainoo scored the winning goal at Molineux, it was Garnacho - who had been substituted - who sprinted from the sidelines and on to the pitch to celebrate with his friend.

Hojlund is the newest recruit after his £72 million ($90m) move from Atalanta, but he has taken little time to form a friendship with Mainoo and Garnacho. "We enjoy spending time together. The young guys have a little group where we're chatting to each other and it's very cool to have other young players around the team," the striker said after the win at Wolves.

"Hopefully we can set an era for the club and be here many years together. If you're good enough, you're old enough and I think that's a good thing. We're here for a reason."

Hojlund's bond with Garnacho could be seen in their post-match interview after downing West Ham, which the pair conducted while cuddling each other.

Hojlund had got the ball rolling against West Ham with a lethal finish from just inside the area, and his guitar celebration demonstrated a young player who is relishing finally taking centre stage after a slow start. He had to wait more than four months after his big-money arrival to score his first Premier League goal, although it was almost worth it as his strike snatched victory over Villa.

Hojlund had shone in the Champions League, scoring five goals, but his domestic goal drought seemed to illustrate the fact he was still a rough diamond and the burden he was facing in being asked to lead United's attack despite his young age and inexperience.

He has had little back-up as Anthony Martial is perennially injured, while Marcus Rashford has made it clear he does not enjoy playing at centre-forward and has been rather ineffective when he has played there.

Indeed, United's last defeat came at Nottingham Forest, when Hojlund was unavailable due to illness, showing their unhealthy reliance on him. Rashford's steady return to form, not withstanding his ill-advised behaviour off-the-pitch, has helped Hojlund settle, but his thriving relationship with Garnacho has even more potential.

“I have always believed in myself, it has just been about getting the rhythm going,” he said. “You get one goal, then two and get a bit of momentum and start linking up with the players. About a month ago, Garna and I did an interview on the pitch and he said there was a lot of talk about us not scoring enough goals, but we’re still young."

Hojlund, who celebrated his 21st birthday on Sunday, is the oldest of the trio by a distance. Garnacho does not turn 20 until July, and although he still has a youthful arrogance and looks like he could be in a boy band, he is fast maturing in other ways.

He became a father last year and in the summer could play in his first international tournament if selected in Argentina's Copa America squad. He slipped out of Lionel Scaloni's squad in November, but has staked his claim for a quick return. He is also looking more and more mature on the pitch.

He scored an outrageous bicycle kick against Everton in November and led the thrilling comeback against Villa in December. His work off the ball, which was a concern at the beginning of the season and one of the reasons he did not become a regular starter until November, has also undergone a marked improvement. That has led to praise from Fernandes, who has acted like an older, wiser brother to him.

Garnacho might rub some people up the wrong way, while compatriot Angel di Maria has advised him to stop impersonating Cristiano Ronaldo, advice the forward is flagrantly ignoring. His self-belief should instead be welcomed. Playing for United is intimidating and takes character as well as talent; Garnacho seems to have both in abundance.

Mainoo is still 18 but is used to exceeding expectations regarding his age. He was one of the youngest players in the squad that won the Youth Cup, and when he made his senior debut in the Carabao Cup against Charlton Athletic last year he was just 17.

He was earmarked for a bigger role in the team this season until he picked up a freak ankle injury during a pre-season match against Real Madrid. Despite his long period out, he was outstanding on his first Premier League start at Everton and was also impressive in the FA Cup wins at Wigan and Newport County, scoring his first senior goal against the latter.

Mainoo seems to be the quietist of the trio and the most reserved, but there is an unmistakable sense of assuredness in everything he does on the pitch. And his wonder goal against Wolves looks like being a breakout moment, when he showed his ability to make the difference on his own when his team needed him the most.

"You can see his composure, he is so relaxed on the ball. So much quality on the ball. Now he's also starting to show that he has the scoring parts of his game as well," Hojlund said of Mainoo. "He's a complete player. He’s so relaxed, so calm, he knows his quality and he knows when he goes out there he’s going to perform. Everybody knows that from the team and you guys can see it as well now, he’s a top player."

Former United winger Lee Sharpe even went so far as to suggest that Mainoo is future captain material and said his virtuoso goal at Molineux was something you'd expect Lionel Messi or Ronaldo to conjure.

United's youthful uprising comes at a crunch moment of the season, with Ten Hag's side in the last-chance saloon where their hopes of finishing in the top four and returning to the Champions League are concerned.

Sunday's match at fourth-placed Villa could make or break their season. Unai Emery's side are eight points clear of United, and a home victory would effectively end the Red Devils' already faint hopes of a top-four finish. But a win for United would trim the gap to five points and could have a galvanising effect on Ten Hag's side ahead of a comfortable set of fixtures against Luton and Fulham, before the daunting derby away to Manchester City.

United could yet qualify for the expanded Champions League by finishing fifth if England is granted an extra position, although that is contingent on City, Arsenal, West Ham, Villa, Brighton and Liverpool succeeding in Europe this season. However, they are currently six points behind fifth-placed Tottenham, so every game from now until the end of the season is crucial.

United have had plenty of false dawns this season, from following an important win over Chelsea in December to a diabolical thrashing by Bournemouth, or their gutsy performance at Anfield with a limp display and defeat at West Ham. But Hojlund, Garnacho and Mainoo all look like quality players who are just finding their groove, and their effervescent performances have the capacity to inspire the rest of the team.

Before United had blind faith, now they have a tangible sense of hope of a better tomorrow.