Kobbie Mainoo concern at Man Utd as Erik ten Hag warned he faces Liverpool repeat
Cautious Approach Urged for Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo
Erik ten Hag, the manager of Manchester United, is receiving advice to exercise caution in handling the rising star, Kobbie Mainoo, following the young midfielder’s impressive full Premier League debut.
Former England international, Stephen Warnock, has expressed concerns that Mainoo could face similar challenges to Liverpool’s Stefan Bajcetic if not managed carefully.
Mainoo showcased an outstanding performance in his first start in the English top flight, marking his return after recovering from an ankle injury sustained in pre-season.
Despite Ten Hag favoring him over deadline-day signing Sofyan Amrabat, Warnock emphasizes the need for prudence to avoid overburdening the 18-year-old talent.
The cautionary tale draws parallels to Liverpool’s Bajcetic, who experienced a breakthrough last season but succumbed to injuries, disrupting his progress.
Warnock underscores the importance of assessing whether young players are physically mature and advocates a gradual integration into the team to prevent potential setbacks.
Warnock cites Manchester City’s handling of Phil Foden by manager Pep Guardiola as a noteworthy example.
He stresses the need to manage expectations, shield young players from excessive spotlight, and create a conducive environment for their development.
In Warnock’s words on Sky Sports News: “You’ve got to be able to take that level of expectation off them.
Everyone’s going to highlight him this week, everyone’s going to be talking about him, and everyone’s going to be excited to see how he fairs next week.
Hopefully, we just give him the opportunity to breathe and enjoy himself and realize what a great performance it was, but that’s not the end of it. It has to keep on going.”
The advice underscores the delicate balance between nurturing young talent and avoiding premature exposure, emphasizing the importance of strategic player development.
