Ten Hag’s Defining Choice on the Man Utd Wonderkid
Kobbie Mainoo, a juvenile player for Manchester United, is not anticipated to finish a loan assignment away from Old Trafford this upcoming season.
Mainoo has a devoted following, and Erik ten Hag wants him on his team. After making three first-team appearances last season, the 18-year-old midfielder, who assisted United in winning the FA Youth Cup in May 2022, is the current club’s Young Player of the Year.
Last Wednesday, Mainoo started United’s preseason matchup with Leeds before being substituted at halftime by Charlie Savage, the son of Mirror Football reporter Robbie. In Oslo, Mainoo performed admirably and even won over United star Andy Cole.
Last season, Mainoo was selected 16 times for Ten Hag’s matchday squad and played in the Premier League, FA Cup, and Carabao Cup. Due to an injury, he was unable to take on a more significant role during Ten Hag’s first season as United’s manager.
According to The Athletic, Ten Hag has no intention of loaning Mainoo out and will keep him on his team. The United manager is believed to “love him to madness” and has faith in the young player, who now plays for England at the U19 level.
After his outstanding performance against Leeds, it is clear why Ten Hag holds Mainoo in such high regard. Cole, who has won five Premier League championships, remarked of the youthful central midfielder Mainoo in the first half: “He was extremely good.
“I was talking to someone who indicated that if the injury hadn’t occurred, he might have participated in a few games towards the conclusion of the previous campaign. The other day, when I was staring at him, I found myself muttering, “I can understand why.” He appeared to be an excellent player.
Back in May, Ten Hag believed that Mainoo was “on his way” to making it into his starting XI. The talented teenage winger Alejandro Garnacho made 34 appearances last season, demonstrating the United manager’s willingness to give young youngsters a chance at Old Trafford.
“Man Utd has a long history of developing young players, and to develop them and progress them into the first squad…,” Ten Hag continued. Players that we develop for the first team… A route to the first team exists, but one must earn it.
In the 3-0 victory over Charlton in the Carabao Cup match in January, Mainoo made his United debut. It came as a surprise that the teenager was named to the starting lineup rather than Christian Eriksen and Casemiro, who usually play in the middle of the pitch.
“It’s a terrific opportunity, he did extremely well during the winter camp in Spain,” Ten Hag said prior to the match. In a friendly matchup with Everton, he also performed admirably. I’m pleased to give him the chance because I believe he deserves to play. He must [be prepared].
The American leg of the preseason tour is anticipated to include Mainoo. During their trip, Ten Hag’s team will play Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid, Wrexham, Arsenal, and Wrexham.