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Ian Wright says there’s something that will have to change with Kobbie Mainoo at Man United
Ian Wright has now been explaining a change that Erik ten Hag will have to make to get the best out of Kobbie Mainoo at Manchester United.
Ten Hag’s side showed some promising moments against Tottenham Hotspur yesterday, although fans may ultimately be disappointed to see their side play counter attacking football at Old Trafford once again.
The era of United dominating games under Sir Alex Ferguson has well and truly gone, but that’s not to say it can’t return.
And when speaking on the BBC’s after last night’s game, Ian Wright seemed to think Mainoo can be a catalyst for better days at United.
However, the pundit realised that ten Hag will need to make a big change, he’ll need to give 18-year-old Mainoo more freedom.
Wright loved the way that the midfielder is able to progress the ball through the middle, and wanted to see him handed more control of games, rather than constantly running in transition.
Ian Wright thinks Manchester United need to play to Kobbie Mainoo’s strengths
Speaking after the 2-2 draw, Wright said: “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.”
Fans may agree
Of course, many United fans will echo those sentiments.
Those who watch the club regularly are desperate to see their side show some signs of progression, a signal that there’s a clear plan of trajectory in place.
Whilst Mainoo is doing very well at Man United, Wright may even consider how much better he’d be doing at another top club.
The 18-year-old is brimming with talent, and he’s clearly ready for first team football on a regular basis.
But United will want Mainoo coming through in a team that is dominating games, as always used to be the case.
That being said, Micah Richards would probably protest that Mainoo does have one excellent example to follow right beside him.