Manchester United Boss Erik ten Hag Confident in Kobbie Mainoo’s Performance
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag expressed confidence in Kobbie Mainoo’s ability to handle the hype surrounding his impressive full England debut. Just four months after his first Premier League start, the 18-year-old delivered a standout performance in Tuesday’s 2-2 draw against Belgium at Wembley.
Mainoo’s Rising Stock
- Mainoo’s inclusion in the England squad came after a promising debut against Brazil.
- His performance against Belgium has elevated his status and potential spot at Euro 2024.
Ten Hag praised Mainoo’s adaptability to high levels of play and expressed pride in the young midfielder’s achievements. He highlighted the significance of Mainoo’s success for Manchester United’s academy and the club as a whole.
Managing Mainoo’s Success
Ten Hag acknowledged the need to manage the hype surrounding Mainoo but emphasized the player’s focus on football, improvement, and enjoyment on the pitch. He mentioned the support from the coaching staff in ensuring Mainoo’s continued development.
Mainoo’s absence from training photos raised questions ahead of United’s upcoming match against Brentford. Ten Hag’s side is looking to build on their recent FA Cup victory over Liverpool, with the return of Lisandro Martinez providing a boost to the team’s defensive stability.
Team Updates
- Martinez’s potential return for the Brentford match.
- Injuries affecting players like Maguire, Casemiro, and Evans.
- Long-term absentees like Diallo impacting the squad.
Ten Hag remains optimistic about Luke Shaw’s recovery and expects the defender to rejoin the team before the end of the season, emphasizing the importance of his return to the squad.
