Ruud van Nistelrooy informed two stars give Man Utd ‘silver lining’ amongst Erik ten Hag flops
Florent Malouda reckons two players are the bright sparks in otherwise dark times for Manchester United.
United’s crushing and controversial defeat at West Ham on Sunday left them languishing in 14th place in the table. And the result meant struggling boss Erik ten Hag finally got the sack following one win in eight games in all competitions.
But the Chelsea legend, who won the Premier League and Champions League in his time at Stamford Bridge, believes the recent progress of Kobbie Mainoo, 19, and Amad Diallo, 22, gives new interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy and long-suffering United supporters two much-needed reasons to be cheerful.
Mainoo has been nominated for the Kopa Award (best young player in the world) at Monday’s Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris. And Malouda thinks the pair have the potential to become huge Premier League players in the future – and become breakout stars in the mould of Chelsea’s star man Cole Palmer.
Malouda told Coin Poker: “I really like the two youngsters at Manchester United, Kobbie Mainoo and Amad Diallo. From what I saw of both of those players last season, I think both players have the potential to become established stars in the Premier League this season.”
(Image: Manchester United via Getty Imag)
The 44-year-old former winger added: “Mainoo finished the season brilliantly and put himself in the England national team. If he can continue to develop, he looks like he could become an integral part of the Manchester United midfield for years to come.
“Amad also has the potential to become a key player for Manchester United. He needs to take the chances that he’s given, and he’s looked good when he has played this season.
(Image: Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
“There’s an opportunity for a young player to come into the Manchester United team and take the spot of a more established player, because United are struggling at the moment.
“That could be the silver-lining with Manchester United’s inconsistent results this season. It could open up more opportunities for the talented youngsters the club has in the squad.”
