Arsenal legend Ian Wright has called on Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag to give Kobbie Mainoo a more offensive role in the team.
The 18-year-old is very confident on the ball and thrives in forward areas. However, at the moment, ten Hag is playing him deep and Wright believes he needs to change Mainoo’s position in order to get the best out of him:
“He 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.”
“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.”
It would be a huge responsibility for Mainoo
Tremendous credit has to be given to ten Hag in terms of handing the teenager his chance in the first team. However, if he wants Mainoo to thrive, he will have to heed the advice of Wright and play him further forward.
Of course, that may cause complications in terms of the makeup of the midfield, and it would be a massive call to make with regards to giving Mainoo so much responsibility at such a young age.
Something needs to change in United’s midfield
Ten Hag’s men were very much second-best for most of the 90 minutes against Tottenham on Sunday evening, and a lot of that is down to how the team is being set up.
United are currently happy ceding territory to their opponents at home and playing counter-attacking football. If Mainoo is given a more central role, it could potentially lead to a more attack-minded and assertive style of play being developed.
