[Abraxas]

Don't get why many are so desperate to nail down in their minds what position he is or isn't or will become.

His position is midfielder. He's a baby, it's all yet to pan out but the good thing for a manager is he has so many skills he can fit into roles depending on who is around him. In fact he's more flexible than the experienced heads.

It also means he's going to get plenty of football and then we will see how he develops.

 

[Idxomer]

6 successful dribbles in the game.

This is his potential, being the best midfielder dribbler in the world.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

6 successful dribbles in the game.

This is his potential, being the best midfielder dribbler in the world.

Apparently the most a United players has managed since Paul Pogba once managed 5. Which really brings it home how shite our wide attackers have been over that period of time.

 

[Red00012]

I need to see that piece of skill down by the sideline in the 1st half again.

 

[golden_blunder]

Our biggest issue is that he's already our best midfielder so if we're not playing him we're actively making the team worse. I think he should be fine this season though as we're already out of 2 competitions and he missed the entire first half of the campaign as is.

Agreed this season will be fine but we need better depth so that he doesn’t have to play every game going forward. Otherwise we will have a great player whilst he’s young but he will start regressing around 30. I know people will say but that’s 12 years. True but by 30 you’d imagine he’s put it all together and is dictating the play. Imagine he starts regressing then because his body has had enough

 

[golden_blunder]

For the national team he sounds like a perfect combination with Rice and Bellingham on paper too.

And hey in different times this may have been the United midfield

Rice - Mainoo - Bellingham

 

[Red the Bear]

Wonder what his valuation would be in an open market.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

And hey in different times this may have been the United midfield

Rice - Mainoo - Bellingham

In different times two of them could be in the Ireland midfield.

 

[ErikElevenHag]

And hey in different times this may have been the United midfield

Rice - Mainoo - Bellingham

you'll get to see how it gets on in the euros this summer and dream about what may have been.

 

[Fortitude]

Wonder what his valuation would be in an open market.

Think of it in reverse: how much do you think we’d have to pay a club to procure a talent like his who is only 18?

From a big club - not for sale
From a club on the rise - a premium that takes into account what they’re relinquishing
From anyone else - you’re paying heftily for the jewel in their crown

Also consider how much other young talents are going to top clubs for.

 

[mjstokes85]

He has a brilliant knack of attracting 2 players to him at the same time so we get a man free.

 

[bosnian_red]

i dont think he is anything like xavi he makes me think bryon robson who smoked a joint

He's not like Xavi, but the person was saying the type of position between Xavi or Iniesta and he's more that controlling type. A deeper Clarence Seedorf is the comparison for me, like Rio said a few times!

 

[DWelbz19]

Apparently the most a United players has managed since Paul Pogba once managed 5. Which really brings it home how shite our wide attackers have been over that period of time.

It’s one of those shocking but unsurprising stats. Outside of Pogba, we’ve not really had any proper technical closer control dribblers in the side over the past however many years. I’d say Martial at his peak was probably the closest.

Type of players we could do with adding. More Mainoo’s who look like they could find space on the ball inside of a phone box!

 

[golden_blunder]

you'll get to see how it gets on in the euros this summer and dream about what may have been.

As someone who doesn’t really give a rats ass about modern international football; I’d prefer he stays at home and gets a good rest and ready for next season

 

[roonster09]

Apparently the most a United players has managed since Paul Pogba once managed 5. Which really brings it home how shite our wide attackers have been over that period of time.

It’s one of those shocking but unsurprising stats. Outside of Pogba, we’ve not really had any proper technical closer control dribblers in the side over the past however many years. I’d say Martial at his peak was probably the closest.

Type of players we could do with adding. More Mainoo’s who look like they could find space on the ball inside of a phone box!

Also there was just 1.5 seasons between Pogba achieving that and Mainoo, so we are not looking at many number of seasons.

For example, Rashford completed 5 dribbles this season vs Bayern and Brighton.

5-6 dribbles is very difficult stat to achieve, I wouldn't be surprised if this happened rarely in PL and by only handful of players.

 

[neon_badger]

He looks like a player that has retained all the important skills that coaches try to teach young players, shielding the ball, simple passing, making himself available to receive the ball, knowing when to go and when to stay it's rare to see a player with so many good habits.

 

[Hughes35]

He's top class. Could play for any team.

Hope he makes the plane for the Euros. I genuinely think he should take that 3rd midfield spot next to Rice and Bellingham.

 

[Mainoonited99]

He's top class. Could play for any team.

Hope he makes the plane for the Euros. I genuinely think he should take that 3rd midfield spot next to Rice and Bellingham.

I'd rather he be shielded from Southgate to be honest.

He'll probably play every game if available between now and the end of the season, way more than what both the club and player himself would have anticipated. Let him rest over the summer ready for pre-season, rather than being chosen by Southgate who then refuses to play him ahead of Phillips anyway.

 

[kouroux]

 

[Litch]

Clarence Seedorf's love child. Even bloody walks like him.....

 

[Annihilate Now!]

Good to see we've got him contracted until 2028.

Keep him away from absolute wasters like Jadon Sancho and he'll only go from strength to strength.

 

[DWelbz19]

Looks about the same height as Mengi. Growing in front of our eyes!

 

[Smithy89]

We badly need a 6 to play with him next season, not this De Jong nonsense.

 

[Giggsy13]

Agreed this season will be fine but we need better depth so that he doesn’t have to play every game going forward. Otherwise we will have a great player whilst he’s young but he will start regressing around 30. I know people will say but that’s 12 years. True but by 30 you’d imagine he’s put it all together and is dictating the play. Imagine he starts regressing then because his body has had enough

Gavi and Pedri provide a stern lesson of this and they didn’t even make it to 30 without major injury issues. That’s why it’s important we keep Casemiro and sign another midfielder this summer to rotate.

 

[golden_blunder]

Gavi and Pedri provide a stern lesson of this and they didn’t even make it to 30 without major injury issues. That’s why it’s important we keep Casemiro and sign another midfielder this summer to rotate.

Good point. At this age their bodies are still growing and they pickup more injuries if they are overused. The modern fan has no patience, the amount of people that want him to go to the euros. He should be getting rest in the summer not playing more football

 

[Hughes35]

I'd rather he be shielded from Southgate to be honest.

He'll probably play every game if available between now and the end of the season, way more than what both the club and player himself would have anticipated. Let him rest over the summer ready for pre-season, rather than being chosen by Southgate who then refuses to play him ahead of Phillips anyway.

Yea, there is that.

From an England point of view I genuinely believe he could be the difference between winning the Euros or not and though and that would be such a great experience for him. Would be gutted for him if he didn't go and we won the thing.

 

[kouroux]

Yea, there is that.

From an England point of view I genuinely believe he could be the difference between winning the Euros or not and though and that would be such a great experience for him. Would be gutted for him if he didn't go and we won the thing.

He's so good but to say he's that much of a difference is way OTT. England's biggest problem is Southgate, not a lack of quality players

 

[Buster15]

Good to see we've got him contracted until 2028.

Keep him away from absolute wasters like Jadon Sancho and he'll only go from strength to strength.

Good post. He is showing good class and is very calm when in possession. Nothing fancy. But becoming a very good team player.

 

[DWelbz19]

Gavi and Pedri provide a stern lesson of this and they didn’t even make it to 30 without major injury issues. That’s why it’s important we keep Casemiro and sign another midfielder this summer to rotate.

Good point. At this age their bodies are still growing and they pickup more injuries if they are overused. The modern fan has no patience, the amount of people that want him to go to the euros. He should be getting rest in the summer not playing more football

Us getting kicked out of two competitions quite early has really helped Mainoo (and even Rasmus and Garnacho) in this regard. One game a week until the end of the season really helps keep players fresh.

 

[golden_blunder]

Us getting kicked out of two competitions quite early has really helped Mainoo (and even Rasmus and Garnacho) in this regard. One game a week until the end of the season really helps keep players fresh.

Yeah but then euros if he gets picked

 

[OldTrevil]

The Canal+ commentators gave a perfect description of his game, along the lines of "he's friends with ball, the ball is his friend". So true as he's not afraid of the ball and when in possession of it he takes very good care of it. Simply a joy to watch

 

[Fortitude]

It’s a point to note that just by way of how he plays the game, he’s going to be a meme and clip uploaders dream; even if we try to keep a low profile with him, it will be impossible because the way he plays is what people want to see and what kids around the world who watch him will be watching doggedly as they attempt to recreate those same skills as we did as kids with our favourite players.

There’ll be no such thing as keeping a lid on him because he naturally draws attention as a player to actually tune in for.

 

[Hughes35]

He's so good but to say he's that much of a difference is way OTT. England's biggest problem is Southgate, not a lack of quality players

It' not exactly about how good his is. I just think the style of player he is is EXACTLY what is needed next to Rice and Bellingham...... And he's excellent at it.

I think swapping Phillips for Mainoo could easily be the difference between success.

 

[Annihilate Now!]

The mystery of his height continues...

 

[Remember the geese]

The mystery of his height continues...

There was a moment yesterday where Mainoo was in a two man wall alongside Rashford. Although the camera angle was from a bit of a distance, there didn't look to be much between them.

 

[TrustInJanuzaj]

I think he’s clearly 5’11 to 6ft. The 5’8 is definitely out of date. It’s part of the reason I think he could become a 6 easily if he continues to fill out his physique.

 

[ArmchairCritic]

Those abilities were never wasted on the likes of Busquets and Verratti in that role

I don’t ever recall either of them dribbling through a team and scoring a 97th minute winner. Having midfielders who can beat players is gold dust, you want to use that in your defensive third to beat the press and the attacking third to create overloads, he needs to play as an 8. Playing him as a deep lying playmaker just caps the development of his skill set at this young age.

Generally players start further forwards and then drop back.

 

[kouroux]

I don’t ever recall either of them dribbling through a team and scoring a 97th minute winner. Having midfielders who can beat players is gold dust, you want to use that in your defensive third to beat the press and the attacking third to create overloads, he needs to play as an 8. Playing him as a deep lying playmaker just caps the development of his skill set at this young age.

Generally players start further forwards and then drop back.

Because they never played as advanced as him in that moment. However composure on the ball and bringing it out from the backline to the frontline is what they're known for.
His base skills can be used anywhere in midfield, they wouldn't be wasted in front of the defence. That's just dumb logic. What he did in that game is something truly special but he won't need to do that in his football career.
However the rest, calmness on the ball and linking up play, that's his game

 

[Adisa]

Puts his senior colleagues to shame.

 

[ArmchairCritic]

Because they never played as advanced as him in that moment. However composure on the ball and bringing it out from the backline to the frontline is what they're known for.
His base skills can be used anywhere in midfield, they wouldn't be wasted in front of the defence. That's just dumb logic. What he did in that game is something truly special but he won't need to do that in his football career.
However the rest, calmness on the ball and linking up play, that's his game

He was actually playing as a 6 when he did that, Casemiro had been subbed off. You saw a young man take the game by the scruff of the neck and win it. There’s no dumb logic in wanting the nurture that further. I’m not saying I expect him to do it all the time but the capability to commit and beat men is obviously more impactful a bit higher up the pitch. I think it’s where he prefers to be too.

Ultimately where he plays depends on how you want to construct a midfield because as you said, he can play anywhere really. Personally I don’t want my 6 to be a deep lying playmaker. The burden on them is so heavy defensively, especially in England. To expect them to protect on transitions and dictate the tempo is too much I think. It’s better to have a specialist 6 who can cover a lot of ground and is quick, in the modern game one counter attack can flip the entire game.

I’ve always preferred the construction of a physical 6 breaking up play & keeping it simple, having a 8 to connect and dictate tempo and a 10 to provide the creative thrust. Of course you can have 2 sitting, a bit like Carrick and Scholes, which changes the equation a tad.