Kobbie Mainoo can become Manchester United’s “perfect midfielder”, says Erik ten Hag

Erik ten Hag praised Manchester United star duo Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho ahead of the Premier League tie against Brighton.

After clinching a 1-0 victory against Fulham, with Joshua Zirkzee scoring on his debut at Old Trafford, Manchester United are now set to take on Brighton.

Brighton currently lead the Premier League following their impressive 3-0 win over Everton on the opening day. Erik ten Hag‘s side will face them in their first home game of the season.

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In the match against Fulham, debutants Joshua Zirkzee, Matthijs de Ligt, and Noussair Mazraoui all made significant contributions, impressing the fans with their performances.

Ahead of the tie, Ten Hag explained where he sees Kobbie Mainoo’s best position and suggested that he could become a perfect midfielder in the future.

“I think yeah, he collected such good experiences [with England], and those experiences will only help him become a better player, 100 per cent,” Ten Hag told reporters on Thursday afternoon.

“Where do I see him? A midfielder. A perfect midfielder is one who is very good in attacking and very good in defending. He is a player who can do it, and he can play as an attacking midfielder and as a holding midfielder.

“We have to see from situation to situation, occasion to occasion, who is available. And also look to opponents, where we can hurt the opponent or where we can take a strength from the opponent out.”

Further, the Dutch boss also shelled out praise for star winger Alejandro Garnacho, but explained that he has a way to go before the young Argentinan can be considered a world-class player.

“A world-class player?” said the United boss.

“He has to go a long way. He has high potential. He showed last season he can contribute and be a starting XI player. To make the jump and become a world-class player, it starts with very hard work. That brought him to where he is now and that will bring him to being that world-class player. I agree he has the potential.”

Continuing, he said: “Every club at the top needs players with the X-factor. Garnacho has it in him to become that player.

“We’ve already seen on occasions that he has shown the X-factor, so if you want to be that player that people are saying is world-class, then you have to do it consistently. He has that skill.”

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