As Manchester United comfortably secured progression into the fifth round of the FA Cup on Saturday evening, one of the few negatives of that 3-1 triumph was the loss of Christian Eriksen to injury, with the Danish playmaker having been withdrawn just before the hour mark.

The 30-year-old - who has been a regular fixture in Erik ten Hag's side since his free transfer arrival during the summer - was forced off following a needless, crunching challenge from Reading's Andy Carroll, with the former Liverpool flop having then been subsequently dismissed after another reckless lunge on Casemiro just minutes later.

As for Eriksen, it is yet to be seen just what the extent of the damage is, albeit with the United boss confirming that the midfield maestro - who has only missed one game all season in all competitions - has sustained an ankle problem.

The Red Devils will be crossing their fingers that the former Tottenham Hotspur man will not be facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines, with the club unable to afford the loss of such a key asset with options already depleted in the centre of the park.

Having seen Donny van de Beek ruled out for the season earlier this month, it has left Ten Hag with Casemiro, Fred, Scott McTominay and Bruno Fernandes as the only other senior options in midfield - aside from Eriksen - with that squad depth set to be more than tested amid this frantic and relentless run of fixtures.

With further signings seemingly unlikely - despite the manager's apparent desire for fresh faces - the former Ajax boss may well have to dip into the youth ranks in order to find a suitable solution in the coming weeks.

One starlet who already appears up to the task of helping to fill that Eriksen void is 17-year-old sensation, Kobbie Mainoo, with the teenage starlet having forced his way into the first-team reckoning in recent times.

The England youth international was notably part of the FA Youth Cup-winning side alongside Alejandro Garnacho last season, having shone in his deep-lying role in the front of the back four - notably being lauded as "dominant" by journalist Samuel Luckhurst following the win over Wolverhampton Wanderers in that competition back in March.

The "exceptional prospect" - as described by Manchester Evening News' Steven Railston - has since gone on to feature twice at senior level in the current campaign, notably starting in the 3-0 win over Charlton Athletic in the Carabao Cup.

That introduction was followed by a substitute appearance against the Royals at the weekend, with the youngster having showcased his ball-playing prowess after recording a 100% pass accuracy rate from his 27 touches, as well as winning 100% of his ground duels.

Although Mainoo has only shown flickerings of his quality in those two brief outings, the expectation is that he could blossom if he is to be handed a more prominent role, having been praised by former boss Neil Wood, who told The Athletic earlier this season:

"There's no doubt that he's technically very good and comfortable with the ball at his feet and also receiving the ball under pressure. He can carry the ball very well and dribbles well."

That composure on the ball could well make the exciting prospect a dream option to replace Eriksen in the side, with the latter man also a gifted technician in possession, as he ranks in the top 12% in Europe among those in his position for progressive passes.

As such, with games set to come thick and fast over the next few weeks and months, there should well be a chance for Mainoo to impress even further and truly showcase just what the fuss is all about.