Manchester United youngster Amir Ibragimov says Matheus Cunha gave him a blunt lesson in training - telling him to "get on with it" after going down in a challenge.
The 18-year-old midfielders has now built up a strong "connection"with Cunha during training with the first team at Carrington.
Ibragimov has made an encouraging start to the season and captained United in their UEFA Youth League meeting with Atletico Madrid in midweek.
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His progress has earned him opportunities around the senior squad, but Ibragimov admits stepping up to train with Michael Carrick’s first team has required him to adapt quickly.
And it was Cunha who delivered a message that helped him understand exactly what was expected of him.
Ibragimov explained how the senior players refuse to go easy on younger team-mates, regardless of their age or experience.
“Bruno [Fernandes] was really helpful, but recently, me and Cunha had a really good connection,” he said.
“Like, he helped me a lot because, coming to train with the first team, they are aggressive with you. It's like, because we're young, that doesn't mean they have to let us off, which I think is really good.
“As soon as I came in, it was straight into tackles, like they don't care how old you are, which, again, I think is really good.”
For Ibragimov, that intensity was an important part of learning what it takes to make the transition from academy football to the senior game.
He recalled one training incident when he felt he had been fouled, only to discover that sympathy was not going to be forthcoming from the coaches or his more experienced team-mates.
“As soon as I went down, which was a foul but they don't give fouls much [in training] and the coaches just tell you to get on with it,” he explained.
Cunha then made his expectations crystal clear.
“And then Cunha said to me, as soon as I got fouled, 'next time, I do not want to hear you at all. I want you to get up and carry on'.”
The Brazilian’s advice quickly made an impression. Rather than dwell on the challenge, Ibragimov took the message on board the next time he was brought down — and was rewarded almost immediately.
“And you know what? Next time I got fouled, I got up straight away and the ball just came to me straight back. And then I scored!” he said.
“He said 'see, this is exactly what I mean'.”
It was a small moment in training, but one that underlined the standards Ibragimov is encountering as he looks to establish himself among United’s senior players.
The teenager also revealed that Cunha continued to offer him guidance afterwards, making it clear that his direct approach was intended to help him improve rather than put him off.
“Then, after that, he was just like talking to me and saying 'as long as you listen and as long as you [learn]'.
“He said 'if I didn't like you, I wouldn't have helped you'.”
Ibragimov clearly appreciated the Brazilian’s honesty, describing the relationship as a positive one and highlighting the importance of having senior professionals willing to take the time to help academy players develop.
“So I think Cunha, I've had a really good connection with him. He's a really good guy.”
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