Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has been warned that Kobbie Mainoo is not yet ready to fill Casemiro’s shoes full-time, despite reports that the Brazilian midfielder could leave Old Trafford in January.

The Dutchman is looking for a winning formula at Old Trafford this season after a season that has been unexpectedly challenging, with a lot of important players failing to rediscover their best form throughout the park. But it is possibly in the center of midfield that Ten Hag has struggled the hardest to find the proper balance with the players he has deployed so far this season.

Indeed, in the summer, United signed Moroccan midfielder Sofyan Amrabat on a season-long loan from Fiorentina, with a view to a permanent deal. However, the 27-year-old has yet to reach his best form, and it is unclear whether Ten Hag will take up the option to sign him long-term.

Much of his situation may be determined by the futures of two other United midfielders whose futures have also been under scrutiny in recent weeks.

While Christian Eriksen is no longer a first-choice starter for Manchester United, it appears that £70 million signing Casemiro is on his way out.

Indeed, the former Real Madrid man has been heavily linked with a January move to Saudi Arabia after injuries limited his usefulness this season.

To that end, a story published this week stated Casemiro was one of a £220 million quartet cleared to go by Ten Hag in January.

Savage urges Man Utd to think twice before dumping Casemiro

Those calls have gotten louder in recent weeks, following Mainoo’s outstanding start to life with the United first team, where the 18-year-old has impressed in his five senior games to date.

However, in an exclusive interview with TEAMtalk, Planet Sport ambassador Robbie Savage warns against overhyping Mainoo, stating that it is too soon to consider him the heir to the Brazilian superstar.

“It’s a little bit early to say that considering Casemiro has won five Champions League titles so far,” Savage said in an interview with TEAMtalk.

“But what I will say about Kobbie – and I watched him a lot when he was coming through the United academy alongside my son, Charlie – is that he has great composure, that he can receive and play the ball in tight areas, and that he is extremely confident in his own ability.” You can also see United’s senior players’ admiration for him and their faith in him…

“It’s fantastic for Manchester United’s academy that they’ve produced another player of such caliber – a real feather in their cap.”

“His first three Premier League games for Manchester United have come away from home, against Everton, Newcastle, and Liverpool, and he hasn’t looked out of place in any of them.” Wow, what an influence he’s had, and it illustrates the old adage that it doesn’t matter how old you are if you’re good enough!

“Ten Hag has certainly demonstrated his faith in him, and it’s been a fantastic start for him.” He performed admirably alongside Sofyan Amrabat, with Scott McTominay taking on a more advanced role. But he needs that experience to work with him.”

Sky the limit for Kobbie Mainoo

Those calls have gotten louder in recent weeks, following Mainoo’s outstanding start to life with the United first team, where the 18-year-old has impressed in his five senior games to date.

However, in an exclusive interview with TEAMtalk, Planet Sport ambassador Robbie Savage warns against overhyping Mainoo, stating that it is too soon to consider him the heir to the Brazilian superstar.

“It’s a little bit early to say that considering Casemiro has won five Champions League titles so far,” Savage said in an interview with TEAMtalk.

“But what I will say about Kobbie – and I watched him a lot when he was coming through the United academy alongside my son, Charlie – is that he has great composure, that he can receive and play the ball in tight areas, and that he is extremely confident in his own ability.” You can also see United’s senior players’ admiration for him and their faith in him…

“It’s fantastic for Manchester United’s academy that they’ve produced another player of such caliber – a real feather in their cap.”

“His first three Premier League games for Manchester United have come away from home, against Everton, Newcastle, and Liverpool, and he hasn’t looked out of place in any of them.” Wow, what an influence he’s had, and it illustrates the old adage that it doesn’t matter how old you are if you’re good enough!

“Ten Hag has certainly demonstrated his faith in him, and it’s been a fantastic start for him.” He performed admirably alongside Sofyan Amrabat, with Scott McTominay taking on a more advanced role. But he needs that experience to work with him.”