The United legend has urged Erik ten Hag to give the teen a run of starts (Pictures: Getty / TNT)
Paul Scholes has urged Erik ten Hag to give Kobbie Mainoo a run of games in Manchester United’s midfield and believes he could be the key to providing more solidity to the team.
The Red Devils took an early two-goal lead against Galatasaray in the Champions League on Wednesday night but were pegged back when Hakim Ziyech deceived Andre Onana from a free-kick.
United’s two-goal advantage was restored through Scott McTominay, but another howler from Onana and a stunning hit from Kerem Akturkoglu sealed a come-from-behind 3-3 draw for Gala that leaves United’s qualification hopes hanging by a thread.
After a majestic display against Everton at the weekend, Mainoo was dropped to the bench in Istanbul in favour of the more experienced Sofyan Amrabat but Scholes believes the 18-year-old needs to start and is the key to arresting United’s defensive issues.
‘It’s common sense to bring in players around [the centre-backs] so they stop getting exposed as they are doing,’ said Scholes on TNT Sports.
‘I think Mainoo could be the big plus to this team, and he needs a run of games.
‘He looks like a player who can protect his back four, but he can also take the ball as well, he can receive the ball, he can start attacks as well – which is needed.
‘I think he senses danger and, from what we say at Everton on Sunday, I think now is the time to give this lad a chance.’
Mainoo came on against Gala mid-way through the second half (Picture: Getty)
He continued: ‘I think they’d be better having Mainoo in there as the protector, because this back four they need protecting.
‘I don’t think anybody else in the team has the legs and athleticism and quality on the ball as well and senses danger as much as this young lad.
‘Now I’ve not seen loads of him, but what we’ve seen from just that little glimpse on Sunday – in a hostile atmosphere – he looked like the real deal.
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‘Now it’s early, but he needs to be given a run of games. He needs to be because I don’t see anybody else being able to protect that back four like he can.’
Fellow pundit Owen Hargreaves agreed, adding: ‘I think he will come back in, because they’re just conceding far too many goals.
‘To concede the amount of goals that they have [14 goals in five Champions League games], you’re not going to be able to get into the knockout stages with that. They have to tidy up the mistakes and be defensively solid.’
MORE : Man Utd’s Champions League hopes hanging by a thread after Galatasaray thriller
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‘Nobody else in the team has his legs, athleticism and quality on the ball.’
