Ian Wright knows how Kobbie Mainoo can reach the next level for Man Utd

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Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright has urged Manchester United to build their team around one star in particular.

Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United picked up a 2-2 draw against Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford over the weekend but led twice in the game thanks to goals from Rasmus Hojlund and Marcus Rashford.

The Red Devils couldn’t hold on to this advantage, however, and could well be cut further adrift from the Premier League’s top four if results go against them next weekend when United are not playing.

The North London side dominated the game against United and will perhaps feel a tad unfortunate to not have come away from the game with three points.

Despite this, one player who struggled against Spurs has been named by Ian Wright as the ‘orchestrator’ of the team.

Wright on United’s ‘orchestrator’

Speaking on Match Of The Day 2, Ian Wright was once again enamoured by Kobbie Mainoo, despite the 18-year-old struggling against the vastly more experienced Tottenham midfield.

“He (Mainoo) is somebody now and I’m looking at Man United playing counter-attacking football at home when you have a player who can progress the ball with such calmness and such fluidity,” Wright said.

“I would love to see him in a situation where he would get the ball and then be able to just blast the ball forward.

“I think at some stage, just let him play. Let him be the orchestrator of progressing the ball and playing the ball, so the front men, instead of having to continuously have to run in transition, come and link play, play some one-twos. Come and play football.”

Despite the midfielder being just 18, it is clear that he has the trust of Ten Hag, who has started the teenager in big games in the past, including the 0-0 draw against Liverpool at Anfield.

United’s lack of possession

The problem for Mainoo, and indeed any player who likes to progress the ball at United, is that they don’t have that much possession of the ball to be able to do this, especially in the big games.

United rely on counter-attacks and balls launched forward quickly to catch teams out, as we saw against Aston Villa, but this means that Mainoo is not expressing himself.

This new structure over the summer, whether Ten Hag stays or goes, will be vital for getting the best out of one the more positive stories to come out of this campaign.