Erik Ten Hag Hails Kobbie Mainoo's Impact At Manchester United

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 26: Kobbie Mainoo of Manchester United during the Premier League match ... [+] between Everton FC and Manchester United at Goodison Park on November 26, 2023 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has praised Kobbie Mainoo for the impact he has made since making his first team debut this season.

The 18-year-old midfielder was given only his third Premier League start for United against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday and impressed with a mature performance to help his side gain an unexpected 0-0 draw.

"If you are good enough, you are old enough and he proved that,” the impressed Dutchman said in a press conference after the game.

“When he gets used more often to those games, we will get even more joy from it. Because then his scanning and his speed of action, he can get such passes, three or four passes in and get switches in, and he is the player who can really hurt opponents."

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 17: Ryan Gravenberch of Liverpool battles for possession with Kobbie ... [+] Mainoo of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester United at Anfield on December 17, 2023 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

After coming into this game on the back of two defeats, and having lost 7-0 at Anfield last season Ten Hag was relieved and proud of his entire team’s performance.

"I said that after the game in the dressing room, yes, I am very proud of this team. We should do this more often. I said this. For instance, Newcastle was also a tough game and we make one mistake and switch off and then it is a goal.”

“But when you stay in the game, and you are disciplined in your gameplan, finally it opens up and then you can take your chances. Or even, you can get two, three, four passes in after the ball regains, and get the switches in and then you can be really more dominant in the game."

"The performances were very good from the side. I think on the game plan, the players were brilliant in how they were together and they stuck together, how they were fighting. Maybe the only criticism would be in possession, we could have hurt them more. We get one, two, three passes and we are in. But that was the only thing. We could have scored one of the two big opportunities and even won the game, but I think we defended very well."

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 17: Raphael Varane of Manchester United reacts during the Premier ... [+] League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester United at Anfield on December 17, 2023 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

United’s draw on Sunday was the first time Liverpool had failed to win and failed to score at Anfield this season, with Ten Hag acknowledging the immense performance of Raphael Varane at the heart of his defence.

"I think he did very well, as the whole team did, and in the partnership with Jonny Evans, they were both leading the team from the back,” Ten Hag said. “I think also Andre Onana played a big part in it but I can mention all the players because it was really a team performance.”

However, despite gaining a point, Ten Hag was still frustrated that United’s attack failed to score once again, and now has only 18 goals in 17 games in the Premier League so far this season

“We should have taken advantage more on the ball. With three or four passes, that we are capable of, we could have even hurt the opponent more. But all over, in the end, you have to conclude that we had the best chances from open play, from Rasmus Hojlund and Garnacho."