Erik ten Hag thinks that Kobbie Mainoo, a midfielder for Manchester United, will be able to realise his full potential if he plays alongside Casemiro. Since the Brazilian’s ιnjury return against Newport, the two have started together four times in a row when they host Aston Villa on Sunday.
The two have improved midfield solidity and helped United win every game when partnered together, but it has taken some time for the selected stars to line up at Old Trafford. Their first-team debut came in late January after Mainoo’s ankle ailment kept him out of action for the first three months of the season and Casemiro’s hamstring ιnjury kept him out of action upon his comeback.
Ten Hag expressed her happiness at Casemiro’s return. “Kobbie has a lot to learn from him. Given that Casemiro has so much expertise and that Kobbie is so coachable, his development will accelerate. He is a pleasure to be around, and when they play together, they may both win.
Ten Hag responded, “Absolutely, Casemiro takes that responsibility, he takes it to him, he’s talking to him,” when asked if the two had a close relationship. I witness it in the locker room, on the pitch, during practices and during games. While focusing on his own game, he is also trying to assist and encourage Kobbie.
A number of important players, including Casemiro, have just come back from the sidelines. However, Lisandro Martínez will be sidelined for two months due to a knee ιnjury he sustained against West Ham.
Ten Hag remarked, “You can see we missed a lot of very important players over a long period of time, like Casemiro, [Lisandro] Martínez, Luke Shaw, and others.” “Yet when a player like Casemiro is there, you can see the impact; he gives you options and calmness on the ball.”
Victory is crucial for United as they try to close the eight-point deficit against Villa, who began the weekend in fourth place. United is eager to go back into the Champions League. If United wins, it would just be their second consecutive season with three straight Premier League victories.
Ten Hag acknowledged in the January transfer window that the club was unable to make additions due to financial fair play regulations, therefore losing out on Europe’s top competition would be detrimental to any summer transfer negotiations.
Ten Hag declared, “It’s obvious that playing in the Champions League is crucial; we don’t need to talk about it.” “I’m not sure right now what the precise effects [of missing out] are. Achieving the Champions League increases your financial power, and that is our goal, without a doubt.