19 August 2023 , 13:56
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Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag believes teenager Kobbie Mainoo is "ready" to star in the defensive midfield role currently occupied by Casemiro.
Casemiro made an impressive impact last season after making the move to Old Trafford from Real Madrid, but the Brazilian came in for criticism after his performance in United's Premier League opener against Wolves on Monday.
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher felt he was "too often isolated and lacked the dynamism and energy required" in that game and claimed the 31-year-old is "going to get really exposed" at some stage this season. And when that criticism was put to Ten Hag ahead of United's game against Tottenham, the Dutchman namechecked Mainoo as a player who can help them improve in midfield when he returns from an ankle injury.
"First, I didn't see it that way," Ten Hag said. "I thought he [Casemiro] was surrounded by Luke Shaw, he was surrounded also in cases by Lisandro Martinez, by Mason Mount. But definitely, it is a new midfield.
"We can, we have to step up there, we have to improve. So I agree with that fact. We have to improve it. In possession, we were absolutely no good and had to do with rules and principles, we didn't match rules and principles in our possession game, then we don't get a good game.
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"Also players make so many unforced errors, it was very below our standards in what I use for my players, in what my players are capable of. But it can happen, it's the form of today.
Erik ten Hag has praised teenage midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, who is currently out of action with an ankle injury (Manchester United via Getty Imag)"But I have seen already in pre-season they can do much better, I have seen last year of course, they can do much better, and I am sure they will improve quickly. Of course, also last year [McTominay] played that [defensive midfield] role, so he is capable of doing it.
"But, I know he is not in this moment there, but Kobbie Mainoo, we have seen him against Arsenal, he is ready to take that role. Not at this moment available, but I think he will in two months he will be available, for winter is coming up he will absolutely have his games." Mainoo impressed in pre-season for United, before injuring his ankle in last month's 2-0 friendly defeat to Real Madrid.