‘Making incredible progress’ – Erik ten Hag hails Manchester United youngster after 4-3 win over Wolves

Kobbie Mainoo will grab the headlines after his man of the match display in Manchester United’s 4-3 win over Wolves in the Premier League on Thursday night.

The Reds secured three points thanks to a stoppage time winner from the 18-year-old midfielder on his 15h senior appearance.

Mainoo, who has broken into the first-team this season, was recently crowned Player of the Month for January and he has started February with match-winning display against Wolves.

Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, manager Erik ten Hag said (via BBC Sport): “It is massive, the win. But this match has a lot of sides. But let’s take first the positives.

“I think we played very good and dictated the game for an hour. We should go up 3-0 or 4-0 but we didn’t and then in the end it is quite naïve. The way we conceded goals shouldn’t happen but then we showed resilience. Especially Kobbie Mainoo. It was a great goal.”

The Dutchman was also asked about Mainoo and his development in the first-team.

“He is making incredible progress,” Ten Hag told the reporter. “He has great abilities is the modern midfield player. He can defend and attack but also he has the physicality to do both ways. He is also composed.”

United conceded three sloppy goals on the night. The manager has urged his players to manage these situations better in the game, after throwing away a two goal lead in the second half.

“Of course we should do better and it was also early in the season when we totally dominate and then we give it away. We should take more responsibility in such moments and we have so much experience in the team. We should manage that.”

The final question from TNT focused on Marcus Rashford after his selection in the line-up confused a number of fans in the lead up to the game.

When asked if Rashford needed the goal, after his opener just five minutes in, Ten Hag said: “Sure. But it was a fantastic team goal. We scored more such goals from building up. Many players involved, get it switched and score a great goal. I think what you see consistently is the last games when he has three goals and I think two assists in I think three or four matches.”

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