Coach ‘surprised’ Erik ten Hag hasn’t used perfect Kobbie Mainoo partner yet

One coach has explained that he is “surprised” Erik ten Hag hasn’t used the perfect midfield partner for Kobbie Mainoo yet.

Mainoo, 19, emerged into the United first-team squad last season under Ten Hag and quickly became one of the club’s most important players.

Once the transfer window concludes, he will be rewarded with a new contract, and Manuel Ugarte is expected to be signed to become a potential partner for the teenager.

It seems clear that Casemiro is not the perfect match for Mainoo, and major question marks remain over whether he and Mason Mount can play together in the midfield.

Christian Eriksen and Scott McTominay are not considered regular starters, but another option exists within the current squad.

Rene Meulensteen was a first-team coach at Old Trafford under Sir Alex Ferguson, and he has explained the key attributes that Mainoo’s perfect midfield partner needs.

The Dutchman then said that he has been “surprised” that Ten Hag has not used Lisandro Martínez in the position before.

“You need a guy who has [a] combination of things,” he began, speaking to the Metro.

“It’s maybe a stupid comment, but it has surprised me that Ten Hag has not yet used Martinez in that position and used another centre-half pairing.

“Martinez has got legs; he is so tenacious; he knows how important it is to hold your discipline, when to play and when to scan because I have seen him do it.

“That is what you need. That’s the type of player you need. By the looks of it, Ugarte is 23; he could very well fit that position.”

Of course, Martínez was utilised in Ten Hag’s midfield at Ajax but has not been used in the same position since then.

Rumours have circulated that the Dutch manager could test the Argentine in the position beforehand. He has recently been tested as a left-back.

Ugarte is likely going to be the partner for Mainoo, but it would be interesting to see how the teenager would play alongside Martínez in the middle.

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