Erik ten Hag has no concerns about handing teenager Kobbie Mainoo his Champions League debut in Wednesday’s must-win game away to Galatasaray.
Midfielder Mainoo, 18, was United’s best player in Sunday’s 3-0 win at Everton – his first start in the Premier League. With experienced midfield duo Casemiro and Christian Eriksen both out, Ten Hag is expected to stick with Mainoo in what is certain to be a hostile and intimidating atmosphere.
But Ten Hag is certain Stockport-born Mainoo – who was primed for a regular first-team run before suffering an injury in pre-season – can handle the pressure, despite his relative inexperience. “If they are good enough, they are old enough,” said Ten Hag.
“We were very pleased with the performance at Everton, but it’s one performance and you have to do it on a consistent basis. Kobbie is so mature, but you are only as good as your last game.
“You have to keep your focus on the game. You have to focus on your game, your performance and get the right levels in. When we observe that a player is moving away from football and getting distracted, we will tell them.”
United have lost on their last three visits to Turkey and suffered defeats in three of their four Group A games this season, leaving their hopes of making the last 16 in the balance. One man who will hope to be key to United edging towards the knockout rounds is Bruno Fernandes.
The Portuguese playmaker has also given a glowing assessment of Mainoo ahead of a potential senior European bow. Speaking after the win against Everton, he said: “I talk always about Kobbie.
“I think he’s a special player. Obviously, people will not talk as much as they will about Garnacho because Garnacho scores goals, does assists and everything. But what he puts on the game, what he gives to the team, it’s known to anyone (in the squad).
“I think he has great players in front of him to learn (from) because he plays with one of the best in the world like Casemiro. Also Sofyan (Amrabat) who plays in that position that is really good and he’s getting everything from them.
“He wants to learn, is eager to learn and I think that’s probably the best capability he has because he wants to learn every time. He’s eager to listen to everyone to get better and better.”
