Silvestre discusses Onana, Mainoo, Osimhen and ten Hag's Future

Here at bettingexpert, Devang Prasad sat down with former Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre. Silvestre discussed the recent impressive form of Andre Onana, Manchester United academy graduate Kobbie Mainoo who recently earned an England senior squad call up.

The Frenchman also dived into the rumours linking Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen with a potential move to Old Trafford from Serie A in the summer. It’s been an up and down season for Erik ten Hag’s men but are brighter days on the horizon?

Anyone who has watched Manchester United, especially towards the start of the season and during their troubled Champions League campaign would have been aware of the tough start Andre Onana endured. However, he has been a transformed man since he returned from AFCON. Silvestre praises the Cameroon international for reacting well to his tough start to life at the club.

“I don’t think he was short of confidence but he has reacted well to the bad start. It wasn’t his best performance to begin which he has said himself.” 

“His self assessment was good and he tried to be more decisive in making the right calls. He is aware of his weaknesses.” 

Manchester United are wise to nail down starboy Mainoo

It’s been an incredible season for Manchester United academy graduate Kobbie Mainoo who has broken into the United first team, established himself in the United midfield, it appears as though he will earn a new contract and has now earned a call up into the England senior squad. And it would be hard to argue he hasn’t deserved it. Silvestre explains why he’s been impressed with the young midfielder but claims he’s been more in awe of the performances of captain Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot.

“You´ve got to make sure to tie your best players to be there for the future of the rebuilding of the team.”

“I think both parties are happy and Mainoo has shown enough to be rewarded. Strategically from the club, it’s also important to have someone from the academy who can be there for the next 10 years.”

“So, it’s a clever decision from the club.”

“He has been good, but I still think Bruno has been the best player. He just needs to continue with the hard work. There are still important games ahead of him and the club.”

“He will be very important for Man United to finish as high as possible in the table.”

“Bruno or Dalot are the players I would mention as the best this season, and Mainoo could probably be right after.”

Casemiro is still the man for the big nights

If you were to assess the performances of Mainoo and his senior midfield partner Casemir who would you assume was the more experienced and seasoned pro? Last season was an impressive first season for Casemiro at United who appears to have regressed this season.

The Brazilian star has looked slower, arguably heavier and whilst the large gaps in the United midfield were apparent when he wasn’t in the side, one would have thought that his return to the team would have helped United defensively. But that hasn’t been the case and Silvestre states this could be due to his inability to get the right motivation for certain games.

“To me it looks like he is not on top in every game. Maybe he finds it difficult to find the motivation against the smaller teams.”

“But against the big teams he is still the player to go with if you want a good result.”

Amrabat has had a difficult season

Another United midfielder who hasn’t had the impact they would have expected is Moroccan midfielder. Sofyan Amrabat signing has been underwhelming but has the Moroccan been given enough opportunities or is the issue that he doesn’t have the required level to play regularly for United?

“Amrabat was an emergency signing at the start of the season. It has been difficult for him and the team has been struggling as well.”

“It has been a tough season for him for sure.”

Would Osimhen want to join a United a team not in the Champions League

The future of Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen has been a hot topic of conversation since it emerged that the forward is likely to leave Naples in the summer. Whilst Rasmus Højlund has impressed of late, he has largely been United’s only striker available due to the injuries sustained to Anthony Martial. Could Højlund and Osimhen play together or would one play second fiddle to the other.

“Man United really doesn’t play with two strikers, so If Osimhen arrives, Højlund could maybe play behind Osimhen, but of course it would have to be tested.”

“But I don´t know if Osimhen wants to join a team who is struggling to make it into the Champions League.”

“It’s really difficult to imagine Osimhen signing for Man United right now.”

Silvestre urges United to give ten Hag another season

The future of United manager Erik ten Hag has been another huge topic of conversation amongst the football world. Thomas Tuchel’s name has been linked to the United job as has Roberto De Zerbi and Zinedine Zidane. In the case that ten Hag does lose his job, who would be the ideal candidate to replace the Dutchman?

“Zidane, Tuchel or De Zerbi… I can’t pick one. Erik ten Hag needs to be given more time, we can’t judge him on this season.”

“So yeah, if they sack him they have to be 100% sure that they can get the right manager. Forget about trophies, because it also took time for Arsenal and Liverpool before they could compete for trophies.”

“I think they should give Erik ten Hag one more season.”

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