Erik ten Hag calls up Kobbie Mainoo to feature in Wrexham friendly match

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Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag took a look at another young player in the club’s friendly match with Wrexham on Wednesday.

The Mail report Ten Hag called on 17-year-old midfielder Kobbie Mainoo to play the second half as a replacement for Christian Eriksen.

Mainoo and defender Will Fish replaced Eriksen and fellow new signing Lisandro Martinez who played the first 45 minutes.

United’s starting XI was: Matej Kovar; Ethan Laird, Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Alex Telles; Zidane Iqbal, James Garner, Christian Eriksen; Tahith Chong, Hannibal, Alejandro Garnacho. 

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Ten Hag calls up Kobbie Mainoo

Mainoo had been a substitute the previous night for Manchester United’s under-21s in a 1-0 win over Kidderminster.

The midfielder turned 17 in April and played a key role for the under-18s in the FA Youth Cup winning run, as a regular starter.

Mainoo is a skilful and combative midfielder, capable of contributing goals in the final third, who seems to glide across the pitch effortlessly.

The youngster is very highly rated and is an England youth international, scoring an impressive solo goal for the Three Lions under-17s last year.

Mainoo wasn’t expected to feature in Erik ten Hag’s set up so early, and this shows how highly he is regarded at the club. To get 45 minutes in a friendly and not just 10 minutes is also indicative of the trust placed in him.

The youngster has an outside chance of being involved this weekend when United look to fill two matchday squads in back to back friendlies with Atletico Madrid and Rayo Vallecano, one day apart.

Mainoo will be part of United’s under-18s and under-21 sides this season, probably flitting between the two as Alejandro Garnacho did last season.

If he continues to impress, Erik ten Hag will likely consider him to train with the first team, if an opportunity arises.

Charlie Savage and Zidane Iqbal are ahead of him in the pecking order after shining in pre-season, but as The Times reports, one or both players could be sent out on loan, with United set to make a decision on the pair.

United’s match with Wrexham was played behind closed doors so there is no footage of the match. The Red Devils won 4-1, with Christian Eriksen scoring the first, while United added three goals in the second half through Alejandro Garnacho, Alex Telles, and substitute Amad.