Erik ten Hag sends warning to Alejandro Garnacho, Rasmus Hojlund & Kobbie Mainoo & insists there is still ‘space for improvement’ despite impressive season

The trio have earned a lot of praise for their recent displays, scoring eight goals between them to help United go on a five-game unbeaten run in all competitions. Despite their promising performances, though, manager Erik ten Hag has challenged them to keep improving and "be hungry".

"I think they enjoy to play together. There is adventure. They are a danger. They want to do it together and to pass to each other so that everyone can play to their qualities and everyone can score goals," he told reporters. "It's great if they want to do it together because that is the key, then we can have a lot of pleasure from this. They are young players and the future for Manchester United is quite bright with such talent on board.

"But you have to develop the talent and there is a lot of space for improvement and that is necessary if you want to go to the top levels. This club wants to achieve a lot, to win trophies. It is very ambitious so they then have to step up and bring higher levels and consistency. Also against the best opposition they have to express the same threat and it is about end product. Players need time, especially young players like Rasmus and Alejandro. They need time but also they need a team so those effects were not there in the first half of the season."

He added: "From the start I was confident they have the potential to do what they are doing and now it is about keeping going, keep moving, be hungry."

Hojlund has found his form for the Red Devils in recent weeks, scoring five times in his last six matches. Garnacho, meanwhile, struck twice in his starring role as the Old Trafford side beat West Ham in their most recent match, while 18-year-old Mainoo got his first United goal in the FA Cup victory against Newport and then fired in a late winner as they beat Wolves 4-3.

Ten Hag will be hoping that his young stars can help extend their winning streak by scoring in their Premier League clash against Aston Villa on Sunday. United are currently sixth in the table, eight points behind Villa, who are fourth.