Paul Scholes tears apart Erik ten Hag’s use of Kobbie Mainoo | OneFootball

Paul Scholes has poured more scorn on Erik ten Hag’s tactics and, in particular, this use of midfield starlet Kobbie Mainoo.

Manchester United were blown away as they put in an insipid performance versus Crystal Palace on Monday night, losing 4-0 at Selhurst Park.

Unfortunately, there was nothing surprising in how Ten Hag’s men folded so easily and became the plaything of Palace’s vibrant attackers.

With a rare injury to Bruno Fernandes, a new midfield three of Mason Mount, Christian Eriksen and Kobbie Mainoo were tried, but there was still the depressing lack of defensive cover as the makeshift back two of an out-of-position Casemiro and an unfit Jonny Evans were brutally exposed.

Mainoo has been one of the most uplifting stories of the season and, despite a dip in form as of late, can hold his head high for his contribution to an incredibly challenging season.

His spectacular rise was demonstrated most clearly in his outstanding curling effort at home to Liverpool last month.

However, no matter how much Mainoo has impressed, he has been overworked and after barely playing even much under-21 football and recovering from a long-term injury picked up in the summer, he has had to play 28 senior games this season due to United’s lack of options.

Speaking to Premier League Productions after the game, former United player Paul Scholes was especially critical of how Ten Hag is using the recently turned 19 year old.

“We saw Mainoo, he was almost playing left-back at times. I am not sure what on God’s earth he was asked to do. He almost left Eriksen on his own in midfield. The gaps are so big.”

“But it’s nothing new. This has been the story of the season. This is why they look like they are going to get beat five or six. That could have been 7-0 against Crystal Palace. That’s the most worrying and damaging thing. I have sat here quite upset and sad, but quite happy that it was only four.”

Naturally, Mainoo will be expected to make mistakes and this is all very normal in a young player’s development.

In addition, it is no secret that the academy graduate still has much to learn surrounding the defensive side of the game, but in a team which clearly has no idea what to do tactically and having no adequate help, it is little wonder that he has struggled to maintain his impressive form from the winter.

Want to be the first to hear breaking Man United news? For carefully selected, crucial updates, join our WhatsApp channel: https://bit.ly/United-Breaking-News.