Ten Hag picks Mainoo's best attribute as Man Utd starlet eyes another start

01 December 2023 , 20:28

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Ten Hag picks Mainoo's best attribute as Man Utd starlet eyes another start

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has been hugely impressed by teenage midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, who made his first Premier League start in the 3-0 win over Everton last Sunday.

The 18-year-old missed the start of the campaign with an ankle injury he picked up in pre-season, but made an immediate impact on his return. And Ten Hag has pinpointed Mainoo's best attribute, hailing his ability to "make the right decisions".

Speaking ahead of United's game against Newcastle on Saturday, Ten Hag was asked what has impressed him the most about Mainoo. "'His scanning, it always looks like he has time," the Dutchman replied.

"Because of his scanning, he is running free and the scanning to see the options and then make the right decisions. He can delay, he can speed up and he makes the right decisions.''

Mainoo came off the bench in United's Champions League clash with Galatasaray on Wednesday, but could return to the starting line-up against Newcastle. When asked about the possibility of him starting at St James' Park, Ten Hag said: ''If he is ready or not, he showed on Sunday he was ready.

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"We have to manage three games in six days to get the best results in all of those games. We have more than 11 players and we have good options there, like Sofyan [Amrabat], who also showed [that] as he played a very good game.

"We have many options but we have to manage the load of the players. It is also about freshness as well.''

Erik ten Hag has hailed Kobbie Mainoo (Getty Images)

United currently sit sixth in the Premier League, just four points off the top four, and Ten Hag is expecting a tough challenge when they take on Newcastle. ''I really respect them as it is a difficult team to play against," he added.

"It is a good challenge and I like to play against them because, in the challenge, we have to rise to the occasion. We have to be at our best against them because as I say, the way they play, I think is very good and very organised.''

Eddie Howe's side are one point behind United seventh and will be keen to get back to winning ways following their 1-1 draw against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday, with VAR awarding PSG a controversial late penalty.

Matthew Cooper