Erik ten Hag issues update on the fitness of Man Utd midfielder Kobbie Mainoo

Erik namechecked the teenager as a player who can complement Casemiro in a defensive-minded midfield role when referring to his tactical set-up.

“I know, in this moment, he’s not there, but Kobbie Mainoo, we have seen him against Arsenal [in pre-season], he is ready to also to pick that role,” the manager told journalists. “At this moment, he’s not available but I think he will also, in say one, two months. Not in one month, but in two months, he will be available.

“And so, for the winter [that] is coming up, he absolutely will have his games.”