Erik ten Hag reveals what Kobbie Mainoo can learn from Casemiro as Man Utd boss talks up ‘bond’ between midfield duo

Mainoo is rapidly developing into a star at United, making 16 appearances for the club and scoring twice. Casemiro, by comparison, has been limited to just 10 appearances in the Premier League due to injury. Now that the pair are both fit, ten Hag expects Mainoo to learn and develop while playing alongside the 31-year-old.

Ten Hag told reporters: "You can see it. We missed, for over a long period, very important players like Casemiro, like Lisandro Martinez, like Luke Shaw, also others. We discuss that often, but you see the impact of a player when he’s there. Like Casemiro, he gives you calmness and composure on the ball, he gives you options, he sees the vertical pass.

"He is always a step ahead of his opponent and breaks lines. We talk just about the offensive, how they have to serve, but then Casemiro is a very important player for our game so we’re happy he’s back.

"For Kobbie Mainoo, he can learn a lot from it and that togetherness, that bond… also Kobbie is very coachable and Casemiro has so much experience. Kobbie will learn a lot from it and that can even accelerate his development. So yeah, I’m happy to have him back and when they can play together I think they can take benefits from each other."

United play Aston Villa on Sunday and will desperately need a win if they are serious about Champions League qualification. Ten Hag's side are currently sixth with 38 points, while Villa are fifth with 46. Were United to lose, they would fall 11 points behind fourth place, as Unai Emery's men would leapfrog Tottenham.

Mainoo and Casemiro may well play together against Villa as United go in search of a third successive win in the league. They beat West Ham 3-0 last time out.