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Kobbie Mainoo England flag

2023-24 Performances


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6.2 Season Average Rating
Appearances
32
Goals
5
Assists
1
Yellow cards
4
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Really like how he tries to slow things down at times. Like he is trying to lull players into relaxing, then boom, a quick turn or a forward pass between the lines that just open things up. Really smart.
Belgium did well last night to pack that midfield and defend with every player. Made it hard for Englands midfield stars to perform. But he did really well in there.

La Pausa.
 
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If Toney costs about 40, maybe 50M at a stretch, then I'd be up for buying him, but for the price Brentford will be asking for him, especially when we already have Hojlund at the club, won't be worth it. Good player, though.

Or maybe you meant Mainoo to Brentford? :p

Brentford would need to sell the club to afford Kobbie.
 
Anyone hear Southgate's interview on talksport around 15 mins ago. He said playing Mainoo left the team exposed, and that it was clear a couple of times. I think he favours 2 holding midfielders and Jude. He previously described Mainoo as a progressive player rather than a holding midfielder. Is Southgate the manager to take Mainoo forward at international level or club level?

Can I listen to this somewhere? :lol:
 
Saw it. He didn't blame Mainoo. He said they were more open as a team cause they were pressing high as a team, not cause of mainoo. He was full of praise for mainoo.

I see. I was skeptical, because Mainoo is absolutely not a "luxury player" who will leave you exposed, in fact I'd argue he's very useful in that regard, mostly because of his qualities in possession.
 
Makes everything look easy on the eye which is hardest thing to do in such fast paced football today.
 
Saw it. He didn't blame Mainoo. He said they were more open as a team cause they were pressing high as a team, not cause of mainoo. He was full of praise for mainoo.

Funny he said that, as I believe we (England) looked more open against Brazil. The two goals we conceded were literally gifted to Belgium.
 
Surely the fact that no women are playing alienates them, rather than deciding which particular male played the best?

It's part of a general trend in broadcasting to pander to perceived offence from am imaginary victim lobby. Actual people don't give a toss other than to find it irritating or patronising but execs wrongly think it brings in a younger audience, because grifter among their own staff loudly assure them it's true.
 
I still want to see is move to a double 8 as opposed to an 8 and 10 set up. I like the use of halves/.5s in a 3 man midfield rather than absolutes, generally speaking. Halves is the better way to ensure dominance.

While not being a pure 10, Mainoo has a respectable share of creative talent. That is the .5 in the 8.5 that he should play. Coupled with the .5 of the other player in the double 8, the .5 of course adds up to a whole and between them, the team has a 10. The difference is, the 8 in the pair of them also gives us enough control on the ball and positional/defensive cover that the team needs. The 6 will have sufficient support from the 8s, and the two of them will be able to provide enough creativity.
 
I love this kid. He’s so silky and multifaceted in the qualities he brings to any midfield. I may be overhyping, but I see no weaknesses in his game for a central midfield player. He could slot into that great Barca team with Xavi and Iniesta.

That said, I have zero confidence in Southgate picking him as a starter for the euros. Hope I am wrong.
 
I still want to see is move to a double 8 as opposed to an 8 and 10 set up. I like the use of halves/.5s in a 3 man midfield rather than absolutes, generally speaking. Halves is the better way to ensure dominance.

While not being a pure 10, Mainoo has a respectable share of creative talent. That is the .5 in the 8.5 that he should play. Coupled with the .5 of the other player in the double 8, the .5 of course adds up to a whole and between them, the team has a 10. The difference is, the 8 in the pair of them also gives us enough control on the ball and positional/defensive cover that the team needs. The 6 will have sufficient support from the 8s, and the two of them will be able to provide enough creativity.
Well theoretically, that's exactly what England are now supposed to have in midfield. Rice is not a pure #6, he gets up and has his CM/#8 moments; Bellingham started off as an #8 and is now some amalgamation of 9.5/#10 and #8 ish function.

In theory, they should be able to pass the baton to and fro with Mainoo without issue, but that will require time and coaching and also the willingness from all three to be equals. Bellingham has a tendency toward the Stevie Me's at times, probably not from the same desire to grab the glory, but more like that Robbo kind of 'I can do this by myself' vibe that has served him really well thus far in his career.

He encroached too often on Mainoo last game, I felt, and rather than attempt to share the load, he more wanted to take over. The coaches have a big say in preventing that from happening, or coaching these players to understand that working in unison will provide better openings and opportunity to play their natural game.

With Kane up top, it mind end up being a double #8 anyway as there really hasn't been much thought put into how to optimise both he and Bellingham - at Madrid, Bellingham has carte blanche in Kane's favourite areas of the pitch, so that really needs ironing out.

Finally, if Jude's an #8, or hybrid of it, some of what has made him a Ballon D'or candidate this season is made redundant, so there's a fair amount to sift through before the tournament proper begins
 
Well theoretically, that's exactly what England are now supposed to have in midfield. Rice is not a pure #6, he gets up and has his CM/#8 moments; Bellingham started off as an #8 and is now some amalgamation of 9.5/#10 and #8 ish function.

In theory, they should be able to pass the baton to and fro with Mainoo without issue, but that will require time and coaching and also the willingness from all three to be equals. Bellingham has a tendency toward the Stevie Me's at times, probably not from the same desire to grab the glory, but more like that Robbo kind of 'I can do this by myself' vibe that has served him really well thus far in his career.

He encroached too often on Mainoo last game, I felt, and rather than attempt to share the load, he more wanted to take over. The coaches have a big say in preventing that from happening, or coaching these players to understand that working in unison will provide better openings and opportunity to play their natural game.

With Kane up top, it mind end up being a double #8 anyway as there really hasn't been much thought put into how to optimise both he and Bellingham - at Madrid, Bellingham has carte blanche in Kane's favourite areas of the pitch, so that really needs ironing out.

Finally, if Jude's an #8, or hybrid of it, some of what has made him a Ballon D'or candidate this season is made redundant, so there's a fair amount to sift through before the tournament proper begins

I was more referring to the United team really. With England I think Bellingham is a pure 10 or second striker even, and I do think Rice is a proper 6. I think the midfield 3 is basically 3 separate lines rather tuan something more blended.
 
I was more referring to the United team really. With England I think Bellingham is a pure 10 or second striker even, and I do think Rice is a proper 6. I think the midfield 3 is basically 3 separate lines rather tuan something more blended.
Ah. I really hope someone making the decisions knows exactly what they want and have the capability of bringing in players who will complement and optimise Mainoo; an eclectic unit is the dream, but at the very least, I hope we get as progressive and constructive one.
 
Broadcasters think that MotM alienates the women in the audience. It's stupid but that's what they think.
That makes no sense, really. Given that they surely know they're watching the men's version of the game!

Is it maybe something to do with the whole binary thing, and some performers in some sports maybe not identifying as either so broadcasters are trying to move away from anything that labels them as just men or women?

That would at least make more sense than thinking they can't say man of the match / batsman in the men's version of the game for fear of 'alienating' women viewers. Which is just ludicrous.
 
I still want to see is move to a double 8 as opposed to an 8 and 10 set up. I like the use of halves/.5s in a 3 man midfield rather than absolutes, generally speaking. Halves is the better way to ensure dominance.

While not being a pure 10, Mainoo has a respectable share of creative talent. That is the .5 in the 8.5 that he should play. Coupled with the .5 of the other player in the double 8, the .5 of course adds up to a whole and between them, the team has a 10. The difference is, the 8 in the pair of them also gives us enough control on the ball and positional/defensive cover that the team needs. The 6 will have sufficient support from the 8s, and the two of them will be able to provide enough creativity.
This is why I like him in that England set up with Rice and Bellingham. All three players can play in multiple areas of the pitch. Rice is a CM/DM, Bellingham is a CM/AM and Mainoo is a DM/CM/AM and the former two have elite physicality and athleticism. At United we just don't have that. We completely lack the profiles. Bruno is more of a 10.5 and lacks physicality, Casemiro can do CM/DM but lacks athleticism. This why I'm not against the Amadou Onana as our "Rice".
 
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I still want to see is move to a double 8 as opposed to an 8 and 10 set up. I like the use of halves/.5s in a 3 man midfield rather than absolutes, generally speaking. Halves is the better way to ensure dominance.

While not being a pure 10, Mainoo has a respectable share of creative talent. That is the .5 in the 8.5 that he should play. Coupled with the .5 of the other player in the double 8, the .5 of course adds up to a whole and between them, the team has a 10. The difference is, the 8 in the pair of them also gives us enough control on the ball and positional/defensive cover that the team needs. The 6 will have sufficient support from the 8s, and the two of them will be able to provide enough creativity.

Have we not moved towards more of a single pivot with a double 8 this season?

I said in another thread that I believe this is why Casemiro has looked so exposed on and off the ball. Last season, he had Eriksen dropping into the back line to build play, whereas this season, ten Hag's almost asking his double 8 to push high, which leaves a lot of onus on our single pivot to advance play, which is not one of Casemiro's strongest attributes.
 
This is why I like him in that England set up with Rice and Bellingham. All three players can play in multiple areas of the pitch. Rice is a CM/DM, Bellingham is a CM/AM and Mainoo is a DM/CM/AM and the former two have elite physicality and athleticism. At United we just don't have that. We completely lack the profiles. Bruno is more of a 10.5 and lacks physicality, Casemiro can do CM/DM but lacks athleticism. This why I'm not against the Andre Onana as our "Rice".

Bruno is much more than that.
 
What would mainoo long term position role be? I know he can do a job as a 6 but I see him more as an 8 and I think that’s how you get the best out of him. The way he dribbled through Liverpools midfielder and into there box was insane. Think he’ll be very useful in and around the oppositions box. His dribbling and carrying of the ball is top notch for an 18 year old… he also looks to progress the ball and play it forward as quick as he can.
 
That pre season game against Arsenal you could tell this lad had bags of potential. Delighted he’s doing so well.
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I still want to see is move to a double 8 as opposed to an 8 and 10 set up. I like the use of halves/.5s in a 3 man midfield rather than absolutes, generally speaking. Halves is the better way to ensure dominance.

While not being a pure 10, Mainoo has a respectable share of creative talent. That is the .5 in the 8.5 that he should play. Coupled with the .5 of the other player in the double 8, the .5 of course adds up to a whole and between them, the team has a 10. The difference is, the 8 in the pair of them also gives us enough control on the ball and positional/defensive cover that the team needs. The 6 will have sufficient support from the 8s, and the two of them will be able to provide enough creativity.


it makes too much sense for waist coat though everyone else can see it . make rice hold in front of the back 4 and play mainoo and bellingham as two 8s . mainoo has to play he is the best 18 year old midfield player i have ever seen but waist coat gate will probably bottle it and HENDO it
 
The use of his body for someone who looks so slight is really impressive.

He is not slight, he looks it on the pitch but he's broad. There is a YT video of him and Gordon for England i remember watching thinking he's a unit.
 
Otherwise I’d agree but I feel we need a bit more legs and pace around Mainoo. Perhaps I think too much of the United version of Matić, but if I remember correctly he was pretty slow even in his Chelsea days.

He had Ramires with him in his first season and Kanté during his second season at the Bridge. Similar to Herrera, in my opinion they were ideal players next to the Serb with their constant pressing and how much ground they covered.
Agreed. The pace and intensity that Ramirez and Kante provided was very important for Chelsea to function as a collective.
 
OK,we have a gem. We have to build around. Now who is the best most attainable player out there to let kobbie do his thing and what type of player do we need..is it a kante or something else. Last so called gem we had in midfield was pogba,and we never found the partner to unlock him fully.
 
OK,we have a gem. We have to build around. Now who is the best most attainable player out there to let kobbie do his thing and what type of player do we need..is it a kante or something else. Last so called gem we had in midfield was pogba,and we never found the partner to unlock him fully.

he just needs a top class dm next to him with legs that lets mainoo do his thing . if we get a class dm for next season i think it changes the whole team .
 
Funny he said that, as I believe we (England) looked more open against Brazil. The two goals we conceded were literally gifted to Belgium.
You're 100% right, the interview confused me too. If you just look at the quality of chances Brazil had compared to Belgium (who literally scored their only 2 chances) it's not even close.

Granted Brazil have far superior players on the counter.
 
What would mainoo long term position role be? I know he can do a job as a 6 but I see him more as an 8 and I think that’s how you get the best out of him. The way he dribbled through Liverpools midfielder and into there box was insane. Think he’ll be very useful in and around the oppositions box. His dribbling and carrying of the ball is top notch for an 18 year old… he also looks to progress the ball and play it forward as quick as he can.
It’s less about field position but the profile of player partnering him imo, his evasiveness on the ball can be just as influential deeper on the pitch, but bypassing 3 players only for the receiver of the ball to mess up and concede a turnover would be meaningless.

There’s not a doubt in my mind that we need a similar player to him, albeit with more maturity ideally, working in tandem, to bring the best out of him.
 
It’s less about field position but the profile of player partnering him imo, his evasiveness on the ball can be just as influential deeper on the pitch, but bypassing 3 players only for the receiver of the ball to mess up and concede a turnover would be meaningless.

There’s not a doubt in my mind that we need a similar player to him, albeit with more maturity ideally, working in tandem, to bring the best out of him.
I’d say we need more of a specialist DM. Someone that can hold the position and cover a lot of ground. That will give Mainoo more freedom to dribble his way forward and get into advanced positions.
 
One of our own.

His playing style remind me of Modrić a bit. Southgate said it, England didnt have a player of this ilk for long, gritty midfielder who can receive a ball under pressure, guard it, slopw things down, give team a rhythm.

If we pair him with a quality DM next year that will be a blast.
 
It’s less about field position but the profile of player partnering him imo, his evasiveness on the ball can be just as influential deeper on the pitch, but bypassing 3 players only for the receiver of the ball to mess up and concede a turnover would be meaningless.

There’s not a doubt in my mind that we need a similar player to him, albeit with more maturity ideally, working in tandem, to bring the best out of him.
I agree, Amad and Kobbie could be sensational together for example. Behind them a player like Rodri.
 
I agree, Amad and Kobbie could be sensational together for example. Behind them a player like Rodri.
Agree with Kobbie and Amad. We'll never get Rodri, but maybe Onana from Everton or Wieffer fro Feyenoord
 
Agree with Kobbie and Amad. We'll never get Rodri, but maybe Onana from Everton or Wieffer fro Feyenoord
If we could get a similar player, defensively sound and able to dictate play….it would absolutely transform us. Now we have Mainoo we absolutely have to look to change from being a counter attack side.
 
I still want to see is move to a double 8 as opposed to an 8 and 10 set up. I like the use of halves/.5s in a 3 man midfield rather than absolutes, generally speaking. Halves is the better way to ensure dominance.

While not being a pure 10, Mainoo has a respectable share of creative talent. That is the .5 in the 8.5 that he should play. Coupled with the .5 of the other player in the double 8, the .5 of course adds up to a whole and between them, the team has a 10. The difference is, the 8 in the pair of them also gives us enough control on the ball and positional/defensive cover that the team needs. The 6 will have sufficient support from the 8s, and the two of them will be able to provide enough creativity.
You know 0.5 + 0.5 is 1. So an 8 + 1 = 9.

Why not just say 8/10 hybrid?
This is why I like him in that England set up with Rice and Bellingham. All three players can play in multiple areas of the pitch. Rice is a CM/DM, Bellingham is a CM/AM and Mainoo is a DM/CM/AM and the former two have elite physicality and athleticism. At United we just don't have that. We completely lack the profiles. Bruno is more of a 10.5 and lacks physicality, Casemiro can do CM/DM but lacks athleticism. This why I'm not against the Amadou Onana as our "Rice".
A 10.5 just isn’t a thing. You’re making up numbers. He’s halfway between a 10 and 11?
One of our own.

His playing style remind me of Modrić a bit. Southgate said it, England didnt have a player of this ilk for long, gritty midfielder who can receive a ball under pressure, guard it, slopw things down, give team a rhythm.

If we pair him with a quality DM next year that will be a blast.
The issue Mainoo will need to work on longer term is his long passing. His dribbling and carrying is Modric-esque.
 
Glad I'm not the only one. :)
Agreed on long passes, for a kid that young his basics are terrific.

Yep I agree with that assessment, have said it before I think as well. His dribbling ability is just top class for his age, maybe amongst the best in the country overall already form midfielders. He does lack a bit in passing though and I think he would need that to be a complete world class midfielder.

Right now he's similar to how Wilshere was, incredible on the ball but not very penetrative in terms of passing and opening to the defense.
 
Yep I agree with that assessment, have said it before I think as well. His dribbling ability is just top class for his age, maybe amongst the best in the country overall already form midfielders. He does lack a bit in passing though and I think he would need that to be a complete world class midfielder.

Right now he's similar to how Wilshere was, incredible on the ball but not very penetrative in terms of passing and opening to the defense.
I like his anticipating, when he's receiving a pass he's aware of the opponent approaching him from the back and he shields the ball in a second or makes a quick dribble. That's what Modrić absolutely excels in.
 
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