Erik ten Hag has sent both Kobbie Mainoo and Facundo Pellistri warnings ahead of Manchester United’s visit to Istanbul.Manchester United are gearing up to face Champions League opponents Galatasaray as they look to rescue their poor circumstances in the competition under Erik ten Hag.They currently sit bottom of their group, with wins against both Galatasaray and Bayern Munich necessary in order to qualify through to the knockout stages.
They have won three Premier League games in a row, with their latest conquest coming in a 3-0 win over Everton, where young midfielder Kobbie Mainoo played brilliantly, winning a Man of the Match award from the club.Ten Hag, however, has sent Mainoo a warning that he will not be given assurances because of one good performance – the player must play consistently well to prove himself.“We are very pleased, but it is one performance,” Ten Hag said on Tuesday. “You have to do it on a consistent base. We are confident he can do it, but you have to prove it. You are only as good as your last game.
“Enjoy it first, but keep the focus on the game. Don’t get distracted. It is about the game, focus on your game, your performance and get the right levels in.”Further questioned on Mainoo, Ten Hag also said he has no qualms with the young player starting in such an intense fixture as the Galatasaray game.“No. We don’t have fear,” was his reply when asked if he fears starting Mainoo on Wednesday. “If players are good enough, they are old enough.”Mainoo is not the only young player to receive a message from Ten Hag. Facundo Pellstri, who is starting to become more involved in matchday squads, has also been told by Ten Hag that he must make the step from being a bench player to the starting XI.
“He has to make also a step from bench player, coming in and having a good impact, to a starting eleven player,” Ten Hag described. “We will see how quick that process will do.”
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