Mainoo 2.0: Erik ten Hag may discover an unexpected replacement for Martinez in a “promising” Manchester United teenager.

Manchester United climbed into the Premier League’s top six with a convincing 3-0 victory over West Ham United at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Rasmus Hojlund’s fantastic goal set the tone, followed by two goals from Alejandro Garnacho. This win propelled Erik ten Hag’s team above West Ham, securing sixth place in the league table.

Manchester United is now on a five-game unbeaten streak across all competitions, scoring a total of 11 goals in their last three matches against West Ham, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Newport County.

However, Manchester United faced a potential setback during their victory over David Moyes’ West Ham, as Lisandro Martinez had to leave the field due to a knee injury in the second half.

The Argentina international’s awkward landing in a challenge with Vladimir Coufal raised concerns, and Erik ten Hag confirmed that there is a significant worry about the injury.

While awaiting further assessment, the club is uncertain about the severity of the issue.

This injury could force the Dutch head coach to make adjustments to his lineup once again, especially considering Martinez’s recent return from a lengthy foot injury. A surprising replacement option might be to recall Willy Kambwala from the U23s.

The emergence of Kobbie Mainoo illustrates how Manchester United can find solutions to first-team challenges by tapping into their academy for fresh talent.

The 18-year-old has made a significant impact this season, earning a spot in the starting XI for all nine of his Premier League appearances.

Erik ten Hag has shown confidence in the young midfielder, and Mainoo has delivered impressive performances in the heart of the Red Devils’ midfield.

His defensive contributions include an average of 2.7 tackles and interceptions per match, along with a 53% duel success rate, showcasing his ability to disrupt opposition attacks and hold his own physically despite his age.

Additionally, Mainoo has displayed a strong passing accuracy of 85% and recently made headlines with a stunning match-winning goal in the thrilling 4-3 victory against Wolves.

In the 97th minute of the match, the young English talent skillfully maneuvered through several defenders near the box, penetrating into the area and delivering a precise finish into the far bottom corner, securing a dramatic victory for his team.

Mainoo demonstrated his ability to shine in crucial moments, sealing the win at the age of 18. His outstanding performance serves as an inspiring example for the current U23 players at the club, showcasing the potential rewards of seizing opportunities.

Given the injury to Martinez, who plays a crucial role for United, there is an opportunity for Kambwala to step in and potentially follow in Mainoo’s footsteps as another academy prospect making an impact in the first team.

Lisandro Martinez’s significance for United is evident in his limited eight Premier League appearances this season. Despite the restricted game time, the World Cup winner has consistently delivered impressive performances, averaging 1.9 tackles and interceptions, 2.3 clearances per game, and boasting a remarkable 94% pass completion rate.

Martinez also ranks among the top performers in the league, landing within the top 28% of center-backs for progressive passes (4.52) per 90 and the top 15% for progressive carries (1.29) per 90.

In the previous season, Martinez featured in 27 out of the club’s 38 Premier League matches, earning acclaim for his consistent and reliable performances in the Red Devils’ defensive line.

His physical dominance was evident in duels, boasting a remarkable 60% duel success rate, indicating his ability to thwart opposition attackers throughout the campaign.

Martinez’s defensive prowess was further illustrated by his contribution of 3.2 tackles and interceptions per match. Additionally, he showcased quality on the ball with an 87% pass success rate, demonstrating his ability to distribute and find teammates in possession.

Considering Raphael Varane’s contract situation and potential departure in the summer, there is an opportunity for United to plan for the future by identifying a long-term partner for Victor Lindelof or Harry Maguire. With Martinez currently sidelined due to injury, offering Kambwala the chance to showcase his capabilities could be a strategic move by tag Hag.

The 19-year-old received his debut in the Premier League earlier this season, providing glimpses of his potential quality as a center-back, despite a 2-0 loss to West Ham at the London Stadium.

In the match against the Hammers, Kambwala completed five progressive passes and two progressive carries during his 84 minutes on the field. In comparison, Martinez averaged 3.53 progressive passes and 0.51 progressive carries per 90 throughout the 2022/23 Premier League season.

While there’s no assurance that the young player can consistently replicate such performances over the course of a top-flight campaign, it does indicate his inclination as a forward-thinking defender, akin to the Argentine stalwart, demonstrating a preference for progressing play with the ball at his feet.

In addition to his composure and progressive play, Kambwala also exhibits the potential to be a robust defender, capable of winning the ball back and asserting dominance over opposition attackers.