Erik ten Hag details five Kobbie Mainoo strengths in Man United’s midfield

Erik ten Hag has sung the praises of young Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo ahead of the Premier League clash against Newcastle.

Mainoo, 18, made his full league debut last weekend during the 3-0 win over Everton. He was not awarded Man of the Match but was largely considered the best United player on the pitch.

He came off the bench on Wednesday to make his Champions League debut and impressed again despite the end result against Galatasaray being disappointing.

Read More: Kobbie Mainoo proved Erik ten Hag right in these two moments vs Everton

Ahead of the upcoming St James’ Park clash, Ten Hag was asked if Mainoo is ready to start again for the team after being replaced by Sofyan Amrabat midweek.

“If he’s ready or not, he showed on Sunday he was ready,” he explained, “and then we have to manage three games in six days to get the best results of all the games.

“We have more than 11 players, we have good options there. Sofyan also showed he was playing a very good game. We have the options, you manage the load of the players, and it’s about freshness as well.”

The young midfielder brings different attributes to the table than Ten Hag’s other options.

When asked what impresses him most about Mainoo, Ten Hag explained: “His scanning. It looks like he always has time because he is scanning, he is running free, then he is scanning to see the options and then make the right decisions.

“He can delay, he can speed up. He makes the right decisions.”

Mainoo is expected to start alongside Scott McTominay and Bruno Fernandes on the weekend in the engine room.

United are the late Saturday night kick-off, with the game starting at 20:00 GMT.