Erik ten Hag insists Kobbie Mainoo IS ready for his third test in six days – after starring in trips to Everton and Galatasaray… with Man United starlet set to feature in Red Devils’ clash with Newcastle

Kobbie Mainoo is ready for his third big test in a week for Manchester United at Newcastle on Saturday, says manager Erik ten Hag.

The teenage midfielder made an excellent Premier League debut in United’s win over Everton at a boisterous Goodison Park last Sunday, earning rave reviews for his composed performance.

Mainoo then came off the bench for Sofyan Amrabat in Wednesday’s Champions League draw against Galatasaray and looked comfortable in the febrile surroundings of Rams Park, even though he was marking Kerem Akturkoglu when the substitute scored an equaliser for the Turks.

Now Ten Hag is ready to include the 18-year-old in his plans for Saturday’s trip to Tyneside as United face another hostile reception, although it’s unclear if Mainoo will be in the starting line-up again.

‘He showed on Sunday he was ready, and then we have to manage three games in six days to get the best results of all the games,’ said Ten Hag, who is looking to boost United’s hopes of a top-four finish with a win against one of their main rivals.

Erik ten Hag is preparing to utilise the young midfielder once again in their Newcastle clash

‘We have more than 11 players, we have good options there. Sofyan showed he was playing a good game. We have to manage the load of the players and it’s about freshness as well.’

Asked what has impressed him most about Mainoo, Ten Hag added: ‘His scanning. It looks like he always has time because he is scanning. He is running free, he is scanning to see the options and make the right decisions. He can delay, he can speed up, he makes the right decisions.’