It is not been an incredible marketing campaign for Manchester United thus far this yr, however after back-to-back defeats, Erik ten Hag’s facet picked up their second Premier League win of the season away to Southampton on Saturday.

The Purple Devils managed to climate some early stress from the Saints earlier than placing three previous them to gather all three factors and hopefully kickstart a run of higher type.

Nevertheless, it wasn’t the proper efficiency, and with a League Cup tie towards Barnsley to come back this night, it might make sense for Ten Hag to make some modifications and drop a starter who did not have his greatest recreation over the weekend.

Kobbie Mainoo’s recreation in numbers

Sure, the starter in query is wonderkid Kobbie Mainoo, and earlier than the pitchforks come out, we aren’t saying he ought to sit out for a number of video games, however contemplating he appeared a bit of off the tempo on Saturday, it would not damage him to overlook tonight’s conflict.

It is not simply us saying the younger Englishman had an off-game for the Purple Devils, both.

ESPN’s Adam Brown gave him only a 5/10 after the conflict, writing that it was a ‘tough match’ for {the teenager}, which ‘noticed him battle to maneuver the ball forwards, freely giving possession on various events.’

It could sound harsh, however it’s an evaluation backed up by the Stockport-born gem’s statistics from the match. For instance, in his 96 minutes of motion, he failed in 50% of his dribbles, misplaced the ball 14 instances, dedicated two fouls and misplaced his one cross.

General, the younger “baller,” as dubbed by U23 scout Antonio Mango, did not have one of the best of video games for United, which is without doubt one of the causes he must be dropped for tonight.

The others are that he should not be overplayed at his age, and it’ll enable Ten Hag to present one other midfield star some much-needed minutes towards weaker opposition.

Why Manuel Ugarte ought to begin

So, when the teamsheets for tonight’s fixture come out, Manuel Ugarte ought to begin within the midfield forward of Mainoo, and there are two easy the explanation why.

The primary is what we touched on above about the necessity to handle the teen’s minutes this season, as whereas he has luggage and luggage of expertise, taking part in him into the bottom will do no one any favours and will impression his improvement a number of years down the road.

Nevertheless, the second and first purpose Ten Hag must be choosing the summer season signing this night is that after taking part in towards Paraguay for 79 minutes and Venezuela for 90 minutes through the worldwide break, he’s clearly match sufficient to play.

That mentioned, whereas he appears to be bodily prepared to begin for United, he will not essentially have the match sharpness nor the total consciousness of what the supervisor needs him to do for the workforce, and the easiest way to treatment that’s to get him taking part in aggressive video games as quickly as attainable.

Now, if this was a league match, then it might be fairly dangerous to throw the Uruguayan “monster”, as dubbed by Statman Dave, into the fray, however as Barnsley are at the moment plying their commerce in League One, even a barely rusty and disjointed show from the 24-capped worldwide must be sufficient.

In any case, in keeping with FBref, which compares gamers in comparable positions throughout Europe’s prime 5 leagues, the Champions League and Europa League, the 23-year-old sits within the prime 1% of midfielders for tackles and interceptions, the highest 2% for tackles received and dribblers tackled, the highest 4% for ball recoveries, the highest 5% for cross completion and the highest 9% for carries, all per 90.

In the end, Mainoo may do with a relaxation after a barely underwhelming efficiency final day out, and Ugarte must get extra minutes beneath his belt to raised perceive his function at United. Tonight’s match towards Barnsley presents Ten Hag with the proper alternative to do each.