I think when receiving the ball deep you shouldn't be taking big risks. Recycling the ball there is important. His best work is in the final third for sure and generally he did a pretty good job there in a team that lacks energy.
37
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I don't know if we're getting De Ligt and Ugarte over the line, but that lineup can be limited going forward. Ugarte is a dedicated ball winning DM who can carry the ball, but isn't really known for his passing or his vision. It means that if Mainoo is having a quiet game, we are going to also depend on Licha/De Ligt to progress play from the back - neither of whom are fast.
A template for opposition teams would be to give us the ball, squeeze out space for Bruno and our front three, aggressively mark Mainoo, and tenaciously press our high line. We'll lose the ball in risky areas and be susceptible to counters. That is how it can fail if Mainoo cannot play to his strengths.
On the flip side, Ugarte reduces defensive work for Mainoo, and De Ligt provides some quality on the ball alongside Licha - so on a good day Mainoo can run the show by bringing it all together from midfield.
Yeah it basically puts a TON of hopes on Martinez and Shaw being fit to help as progressive passers.
I’ve said before but I still feel like his best work is in advanced positions. There’s a lot of an 8 in him, but I see him most as an 8+ sort of player. He really has a very poor engine in my view. He shares a lot of similarities to Pogba, neither of them have the attributes to do numerous short, sharp, shuffles around the midfield. Obviously without the height, but similar to Pogba and Yaya I’d say. They don’t have the engine for proper midfield grafting, and I suspect will always be a second too late to the ball or where they need to be.
I think even so far in this tournament, his best actions have been forward thinking and penetrative. Mainoo could well improve his running power with age, but he also isn’t the first young midfielder. Neves is the same age for example and you can see he covers ground better and has high intensity. Players like Gerrard had that at Mainoo’s age. It’s just not his physical profile from what I can see.
I think even so far in this tournament, his best actions have been forward thinking and penetrative. Mainoo could well improve his running power with age, but he also isn’t the first young midfielder. Neves is the same age for example and you can see he covers ground better and has high intensity. Players like Gerrard had that at Mainoo’s age. It’s just not his physical profile from what I can see.
His engine is not really that different from someone's like Scholes or Xavi. He's definitely an 8, whether that's as a deep playmaker or an advanced playmaker, but that's not a problem in a midfield setup... you just need the right partner for him to have that aggressive ball winning. He can play as the most advanced in a 3 as well, but I don't think that'd be getting the most out of him really.
He doesn't have a poor engine. You're just describing a different profile of player.
Neves is a combative midfielder. Gerrard was the same. Mainoo is a playmaker.
I do think Mainoo has the potential to be an elite #6 when he becomes much older, as his reading of the game is truly excellent, but he would be a Carrick and not a Kante.
For the time being, Mainoo is like a Modric or young Scholes type.
Another start for our Kobbie. In the EURO quarters.
Can Mainoo be trusted? Very interesting game.
It's a lot to put on young but extremely talented shoulders especially in a cm duo instead of a three.
It is. But I have faith in him that these experiences make him better and stronger, whatever the outcome.
I think he will be fine. One thing about Mainoo is that he is also a cool customer. Also he has played some big matches already for a United. Not worried about him in this game at all.
Trusted far more than the older pretended yes.
Sarcasm?
He has been the most calm and collected player on the field for England this EUROs.
Very good start.
He’s the one thing I’m excited about for next season. He’s absolutely class.
Best player in first half.
Him, Bellingham and Saka have been good.
Great first half for our boy Mainoo!
His technique is just so pure and refined. One of those who pretty much never makes a mistake, and is so reliable.
Jacob Steinberg:
”Lacks the discipline to play for England. Rice needs a better partner next to him.
Has he said that during this match?
I remember that, what a bitter cnut
I should be "Mainoo needs a better partner next to him"
So calm and composed on the ball we have such a talent 
Lampard giving Mainoo his flowers, nice to hear!
From last warmup match before the tournament. Blamed Mainoo for his mate Rice's poor match
Think he’s said something similar during this tournament too.
Edit: vs Slovakia.
”Kobbie Mainoo (CM) Did not protect defence well but he showed personality on the ball. Drove forward. 6”
Winderkid.
He's outstanding played under a diabolical system under Erik ten Hag last season and a limited manager in Southgate and he's still thrived irrespective.
Could only imagine if he has better conditions around him as Scholes stated he's of that generational caliber. Still much to improve on but he ticks so many boxes in a position that requires experience to be played effectively.
Could only imagine if he has better conditions around him as Scholes stated he's of that generational caliber. Still much to improve on but he ticks so many boxes in a position that requires experience to be played effectively.
He is bitter at United cause he put his credibility as a journo on the line and went with the story that Ten Hag was getting the sack after the FA cup final, and we know how that went.
If the screenshots of his earlier social media posts are real he’s a racist too.
Love that turn that took 3 players out of the game. Kid just has that third eye for awareness.
Well then it is karma and he deserves to lose credibility as a journo!
Your post is still true as well.
We got a gem on our hands.
Not long before Real Madrid comes and puts their long tongue in his ear.
Turns like a snake, Mario Gomez style
https://x.com/UtdFaithfuls/status/1809627927505494411?t=CsO636yZCsTKnKl51RRlGQ&s=19
https://x.com/UtdFaithfuls/status/1809627927505494411?t=CsO636yZCsTKnKl51RRlGQ&s=19
He's also went looking for an angle to stop short of criticizing Rice because he's too close to him. Mainoo was an easy target for the rasist bastard.
It may work with other clubs but Real's lure won't move our players especially the British ones at that. We've only ''lost'' a player to them once and that was Ronaldo. Apart from that we've never lost a player to them we didn't want to let go.
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