Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has confirmed that he has included youngster Kobbie Mainoo in the matchday squad for Saturday's lunchtime clash with Wolves at Molineux because he has the ability to potentially influence the game.
The 17-year-old, who was born in Stockport, has been named among the substitutes, alongside the likes of Harry Maguire, Donny van de Beek and Marcus Rashford. It is just the second time that he has been included in a senior matchday squad this season, previously being named on the bench for the goalless draw with Newcastle United at Old Trafford in October.
The midfielder, who is rated highly by those inside Old Trafford, recently travelled to Spain during the World Cup break for the club's warm-weather training camp and scored in the 4-2 defeat to Cadiz CF. Mainoo stepped off the bench in each of the two friendlies they played, also appearing against Real Betis.
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United are well-stocked in central-midfield, meaning Ten Hag has a plethora of options available to him. Christian Eriksen, Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro continue to form his strongest midfield-three, but the likes of Van de Beek, Scott McTominay, Zidane Iqbal and Fred are all waiting in the wings.
"He's making good progress," Ten Hag told MUTV, speaking pre-match, explaining why he had named Mainoo on the bench. "So it is also about competition.
"He is doing well and we think he can help us today and that is the only reason. In a certain scenario we can bring him on and we are convinced he can do a job. He showed that many times now in training and also in the friendlies he played."
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