Ten Hag: United finally have foundations for young players to grow

<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-02-11/Ten-Hag-United-finally-have-foundations-for-young-players-to-grow-1r6QpMk3Wnu/img/f625435c84204637b09c134ddad1fdd6/f625435c84204637b09c134ddad1fdd6.jpeg' alt='Erik ten Hag (R), manager of Manchester United, talks to his player Alejandro Garnacho during the Premier Leauge game against West Ham United at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, February 4, 2024. /CFP'

Erik ten Hag, manager of Manchester United, told reporters on Saturday that the club is finally in the position where young players can grow well.

“It is easier to integrate young talent into a successful team, that is true,” the Dutch manager said when asked if it’s a difficult call for the struggling “Red Devils” to give young players a bigger role.

United are currently in the sixth place in the Premier League. They won three of their past five games and are undefeated in their last three contests. Rasmus Hojlund, 21, scored five goals in his past six appearances; Alejandro Garnacho, 19, contributed two goals in the 3-0 win over West Ham United on February 4; Kobbie Mainoo, 18, got the game-winning goal in their 4-3 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers on February 1.

<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-02-11/Ten-Hag-United-finally-have-foundations-for-young-players-to-grow-1r6QpMk3Wnu/img/60f958848f804bc6a12138047b7b730f/60f958848f804bc6a12138047b7b730f.jpeg' alt='Rasmus Hojlund (#11) of Manchester United shoots to score a goal in the Premier Leauge game against West Ham United at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, February 4, 2024. /CFP'

“The conditions we had to bring Kobbie Mainoo, in that moment, you (didn’t) know beforehand it will be a success,” Ten Hag said. “I had that confidence because I saw him performing, I saw him performing in autumn and saw him progressing in the spring and summer. I had the game from Arsenal (pre-season) in my mind.”

“I didn’t have any doubt, but when he is coming in the team he has to do it,” the manager added. “There are many things he has to do on his own because when there are a lot of routines in the team, it is much easier to come in. But we are not in that situation, and this club has not been in that situation for a long time. For many years, Manchester United were not in that position.”

<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-02-11/Ten-Hag-United-finally-have-foundations-for-young-players-to-grow-1r6QpMk3Wnu/img/d76e60b011ca4b25b1cd9067b154f34b/d76e60b011ca4b25b1cd9067b154f34b.jpeg' alt='Kobbie Mainoo (L) of Manchester United comeptes for the ball in the Premier Leauge game against West Ham United at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, February 4, 2024. /CFP'

Mainoo has played 16 games so far for United this season, scoring two goals and delivering two assists. One of the reasons for United’s struggle this season is that they have lacked a midfielder who can make consistent contributions on both offense and defense. Such players are often rare, expensive and easily misused. If Mainoo can grow to play that roll for United, he can save the club from having to gamble in the transfer market.

Ten Hag praised 31-year-old Casemiro for helping Mainoo grow. “He (Casemiro) gives you calmness and composure on the ball,” the United boss said. “He gives you options, he does see the vertical pass. For Kobbie Mainoo, he can learn a lot from it. That togetherness, that bond, also Kobbie is very coachable and Casemiro has so much experience. Kobbie will learn a lot from it, and that can even accelerate his development.”