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 secured an initial two-goal advantage over Galatasaray in the Champions League on Wednesday, but their lead was diminished as Hakim Ziyech tricked Andre Onana with a free-kick.
Manchester United regained their two-goal lead with a goal from Scott McTominay. However, a mistake by Onana and a remarkable strike from Kerem Akturkoglu resulted in a dramatic 3-3 comeback draw for Galatasaray, leaving United’s qualification prospects uncertain.
Despite a splendid performance against Everton, Mainoo found himself on the bench in Istanbul, as the more seasoned Sofyan Amrabat was chosen. However, Scholes insists that the 18-year-old should be in the starting lineup, emphasizing his role in addressing 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 Paul 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.’
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.
‘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.’