Erik ten Hag explains why Kobbie Mainoo starts for Manchester United against Newcastle

Erik ten Hag has stressed that Manchester United youngster Kobbie Mainoo is 'ready' to play for the first-team.

After drawing against Galatasaray in midweek, United are hoping to return to winning ways at St. James' Park on Saturday night and Ten Hag has made four changes from the starting team that played in Istanbul.

Victor Lindelof has been replaced by Luke Shaw on the left side of the centre of defence, while Sofyan Amrabat has moved to the bench to accommodate youngster Mainoo in midfield.

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Rasmus Hojlund and Antony have also lost their starting places to Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford respectively, with the latter returning to the team after being absent against Galatasaray due to suspension.

The decisions to start Shaw at centre-back and name Hojlund on the bench were among the pre-match talking points and Ten Hag spoke to MUTV ahead of kick-off in the North East.

Ten Hag was asked about Shaw playing a central role and said: "It's a part of our tactics for this game and also load management for the perspective of Luke. As a full-back, the demand is different."

Mainoo, 18, will be up against Newcastle's Lewis Miley, 17, in midfield and Ten Hag added: "It tells something about the great potential of English football, with such young kids coming up, so it's good for the academies and it gives them recognition they are ready to play."

He continued: "The pitch is the same everywhere, the size of the pitch, 11 v 11, with a referee, so go on and kick off. We have to build on our performances lately. We are in the right direction and this is a very big test.

"We've played some very good