Stephen Warnock has suggested Manchester United should place less pressure on Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho. The young duo were two of the Reds' standout performers last season but haven't reached that level amid a dismal start to the campaign for Erik ten Hag's side as a collective.
Mainoo, 19, returned to Old Trafford in the summer after representing England at Euro 2024. He forged his way into the Three Lions starting lineup, playing in the 2-1 final defeat to Spain after a breakout season at club level.
Garnacho, 20, was also a member of the Argentina team that won Copa America. The winger didn't get much game time but gained experience in a squad that boasted Lionel Messi and Lautaro Martinez.
Warnock, formerly of Liverpool, raised concerns about how the pair have been handled this season. The former Liverpool defender highlighted to Sky Sports how much burden has been placed on them to shine despite their careers just getting started:
"Those two players shouldn’t be burdening so much on their shoulders within the team. There is so much pressure on them two players because of the potential. I would say Garnacho has been managed in a different way this season. I think Mainoo has struggled a little bit because he has come off the back of a Euros, probably hasn’t had that rest that he needs as a youngster.
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Mainoo enjoyed a breakout 2023-24 campaign, posting five goals and one assist in 32 games across competitions. He bagged the winner in Manchester United's 2-1 win over Manchester City in the FA Cup final.
Garnacho opened the scoring at Wembley after cementing his place in Ten Hag's team with top-quality performances. The Argentine attacker managed 10 goals and five assists in 50 games across competitions.
Warnock pointed out Mainoo's status in the team already being one of the protagonists despite his inexperience:
"There is a lot of pressure on his shoulders to be that star performer in midfield. He doesn’t have a senior figure alongside him in midfield. I think he has suffered at the start of the season. I don’t think it’s a major problem, but in an ideal world, you would drip-feed him into the team. He wouldn’t be playing every game, but that’s the way it is.Stephen Warnock
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Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho have yet to his their stride for Manchester United this season
Manchester United's entire team have suffered a disappointing start to the season that has resulted in confidence levels dropping. Mainoo looks a shadow of his usual energetic self and has struggled without a consistent midfield partner. Ten Hag has tried new signing Manuel Ugarte, Casemiro and Christian Eriksen alongside him but it's failed to reap rewards.
Garnacho has actually managed a solid record regarding goal contributions with four goals and three assists in 11 games across competitions. He's been played on the right to allow Marcus Rashford to continue on the left and hasn't always been a starter amid Amad Diallo's consistent run in the team.
Red Devil Armada Verdict
This was always going to happen when the Red Devils are underperforming as Mainoo and Garnacho are being asked to be the team's saviors at such young ages. It's easy to forget how recent their integration into the senior squad has been but Warnock has a point regarding the England international perhaps needing a more patient development into a first-team regular.
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