to our live blog of Manchester United’s trip to Aston Villa in the Premier League. There are lots of things to concern United fans at the moment but one unqualified success so far this season has been the emergence of an exciting new talent: Kobbie Mainoo.
Erik Ten Hag believes playing with Casemiro will help Mainoo reach his potential more quickly.
The teenager was given his chance following the hamstring injury suffered by Casemiro at the beginning of November.
But the Brazil international, who is 13 years Mainoo’s senior, is now fit again and they have played together in the last three games, all of which United have won.
Boss Ten Hag said: “We missed over a long period very important players like Casemiro, (Lisandro) Martinez, Luke Shaw, also others. We discussed that often. But you see the impact from a player when he is there, like Casemiro.
“He gives you calmness and composure on the ball. He gives you options, he does see the vertical pass.
“He is always a step ahead of his opponent and can break lines. Casemiro is a very important player for our game. We are happy he is back.
“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. We are happy to have him and, when they play together, they can benefit from each other.
“Casa takes that responsibility. He has taken to him and he is talking to him.
“I see it in the dressing room and on the pitch, also in training and in games. He is looking at his own game, but he is trying to help and support Kobbie Mainoo.”