‘Not the go-to man’: Ten Hag has made one player a mainstay in his team but he’s not ready yet, says Souness

You know the football season is well underway when Graeme Souness is giving his two-pence on Manchester United.

To be frank, Erik ten Hag will have to deal with the criticism that comes his way in the coming days. Two defeats in three matches have left the side 14th-placed heading into the international break.

While it is early days, and there’s plenty of time for amendments to be made, the Dutchman is now three years into his project at Old Trafford, and you’d struggle to pinpoint any prominent improvements across the squad from when he took the reins – especially given that United are on the back of a worst-ever Premier League finish on record.

Yet, it’s not actually this season’s performances that have prompted Souness’ critiquing. The ex-Liverpool man has, instead, declared that Kobbie Mainoo is not ready to be a week-in, week-out starter for the Red Devils.

The 19-year-old nailed down his place in the 11 immediately after his breakthrough into the first-team last term, with his stellar performances eventually leading to him earning a first-ever senior England call-up. He was then included in Gareth Southgate’s squad for the Euros, starting four matches – including the final – and coming off the bench in two games throughout the tournament.

After tasting defeat in the final, he was granted an extended rest, along with his England teammates and other internationals, meaning he returned to action in August with little to no pre-season training in the tank. Mainoo proceeded to play 84 minutes in the season-opener at home to Fulham and the full 90s in United’s last two outings.

Read more: Van Dijk discloses concerning verdict over Utd compatriot while admitting Liverpool sussed out Ten Hag’s game plan imminently

Souness has his say

“I have to say this, I’m not being unkind, Mainoo might be a player, but it’s so Man United,” Souness began on talkSPORT. “This is not to be critical of Man United – it’s never been any different.

“But when someone comes on the scene at Man United, in my days they were the ‘new George Best’, or the ‘new Bobby Charlton’, the new Denis Law’.

“It is FC Hollywood, they call Bayern Munich in Germany ‘FC Hollywood’ – that’s Man United here. If anyone shows anything, they’re put into superstardom category, way before they’ve even become a good player.

“And Mainoo right now should be a player that’s flitting in and out of a good team – not coming in and being asked to stand up and play against the very best teams. He might be a player one day, but he’s certainly not the go-to man at United like they’re making him out to be in midfield.

“They got ran over. They were not in the game yesterday.”