It would surely be easier for him to improve his form in a position that suits him e.g. one of a three in midfield
37
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 23
- Goals
- 1
- Assists
- 1
- Yellow cards
- 6
Clearly had too much football last year, shoudn't have gone to the Euros, and has been affected by his injury and the new system like all the players.
He was class last year, and you don't just suddenly lose that sort of ability without good reason.
Mainoo has more of an excuse for a blip than virtually all our other players who seem to be having one right now aswell.
He was class last year, and you don't just suddenly lose that sort of ability without good reason.
Mainoo has more of an excuse for a blip than virtually all our other players who seem to be having one right now aswell.
Referring to two different things. You’re talking about stamina. He can improve that to an extent, again there’s limits. He’s been in the first team 12 months and he still looks gassed out after 70 minutes, whether that be our midfield or Englands. Watch how he ran off the pitch in the Euro’s final.
However I’m referring to his ability to glade pass players and accelerate over 60 yards. It’s poor and will never improve to the level we need. If you’re confused to what I mean, just look at a player like Anderson. He’s an example of an athlete that didn’t have cardio. Which is what you might be referring too.
Another overhyped youngster from the academy. Should be sold as we would get money for him. Same as Garnacho. Not good enough
While I still believe that Garnacho is a big talent I am not sure about Mainoo. On the other hand playing in midfield is more difficult for a young guy so I still hope he will improve. Right now I don't see the hype and we clearly need at least 2 new top midfielders.
Don’t think he can play in the midfield two, he is out of position so much and doesn’t have the legs to recover, think we should play him further forward where he can use quick one touch link up play, he can also beat people better than Bruno.
Hopefully it’s just a blip because he looks a shadow of the player we saw last season.
Hopefully it’s just a blip because he looks a shadow of the player we saw last season.
We are genuinely the ultimate graveyard for young talents (not that there is no hope left for Kobbie, but he looks massively unsuited to the new manager's system).
It hurts to say this, but even as a fan of the club, I genuinely don't think I would be signing for us right now if I were a top young prospect. Kinda baffles me why any coveted top player would still be willing to join us over other big clubs right now. No one seems to be quite as good as us at crushing young players' confidence and joy in playing football, not to mention we are years away from consistent long-term success anyway.
It hurts to say this, but even as a fan of the club, I genuinely don't think I would be signing for us right now if I were a top young prospect. Kinda baffles me why any coveted top player would still be willing to join us over other big clubs right now. No one seems to be quite as good as us at crushing young players' confidence and joy in playing football, not to mention we are years away from consistent long-term success anyway.
Has to work on his passing and engine. I do fear we’ll struggle to develop him properly as has been the case for every bit talent over the last decade.
If you saw us last season you’ll have noticed that he offered all those things to differing degrees. His passing was nice and crisp, dribbling was excellent, tackling was also solid and the goal threat was there with a few cracking strikes.
It’s very clear that his obvious strength is his ability in tight spaces. But as has been said by many, if he doesn’t work on his passing and engine he’ll be yet another talent that doesn’t live up to his potential.
Basically he needs to learn the art of being a midfielder as he’s never really had that. Even last season when he was wowing everyone he would often have surprisingly low game involvement and that won’t cut it in the long run in the modern game where possession, intensity and running is essential. It’s the opposite of Darren Fletcher when he broke through - he seemed lack any special quality but had the instinct / training of a CM. Mainoo has some brilliant qualities but must work on the basics of midfield play.
You are rewriting history. There were always criticisms for his passing and his defensive work.
I’m not. At no point did I deny that there weren’t criticisms - that would be odd for a kid of his age. However that doesn’t equate to “what does he even do!??”
He need to improve very quickly or he will find himself on the selling list, Many aspects of his game need improving first his movement, physique and most importantly his passing. You can not play as a CM in a club aspiring to win big trophies just because you can dribble, the other traits are more important.
Could he be tried as one of the 10s? Some of his best work last season was in an advanced position in and around the opposition box. His close control and little dinky 1-2s would be beneficial in those areas.
I'd like to see this, I don't think he works in a two man midfield well and if bruno can play in those ten position then surely mainoo can as well as he is better ball carrier than bruno for a start and not as erratic with his passing
The reverse is equally true sadly - what is needed next to Mainoo (or whoever else) is a player less limited than Ugarte. Both players need to be able to make a forward pass.
In a 2 man midfield for me Ugarte is far more useful than Kobbie. Whilst he hasn't got the dribbling of Kobbie they both have similar passing ranges, Ugarte is similarly pretty comfortable working in tight spaces and has a better workrate plus defensive positioning. If I had to choose who to upgrade out of the two its without a question to upgrade Kobbie with a progressive passer.
Ugarte is far less limited than Mainoo, if you look at the entire skillset needed of a midfielder. If we could keep only one of them, I'd pick Ugarte every day of the week.
For someone in their second season as a pro he is doing amazingly well.
I would just like to see him quicken up a little bit and release the ball sooner. As everyone is now aware of his style and the opposition knows what he likes to do, making it easy for them to stop him.
Classic second season.
I would just like to see him quicken up a little bit and release the ball sooner. As everyone is now aware of his style and the opposition knows what he likes to do, making it easy for them to stop him.
Classic second season.
He's a bit similar to our own Lewis Miley in that he was overplayed last season owing to necessity as much as anything. There was always likely to be a second-season syndrome and drop off somewhere along the line.
I think he's a fascinating player that could go either way. My feeling is that he might be better suited to playing in Italy or Spain than in England, where his lack of intensity and stamina are major weaknesses.
So for me, the main issue is what is he? A 6, 8 or a 10? For me, he's a bit of everything, a kind of hybrid, but not ideal for any role. He could develop into a 6 in his later career, but at the moment his lack of stamina and intensity are big no nos for this position. An 8 seems his ideal home, but only in a three-man midfield, similar to what Howe plays or Klopp played (though his lack of intensity would be a big issue in a Klopp team). I think a Pep midfield and style of play would suit him best. A 10? Maybe for now as I thought the intricate triangles he played with Saka and Trent (when he got on the pitch) for England last summer were fantastic to watch at times. Scholes also said that he might be best in this position for now and you have to respect his opinion! But overall, as others have said, I don't really think he's a natural 10, especially as he gets older and more mature. He can create, but he's not enough of a threat to be a ten.
I think Souness hit the nail in the head when he said he doesn't understand the position. People didn't want to hear as he was still in his honeymoon period, but he was totally correct. Mainoo often makes it hard for centre-backs to pass to him by effectively marking an opposition midfeilder. I know he is capable of playing well in tight spaces, but it can also look like he is hiding somewhat, putting further pressure on his midfield partner. Souness was a dirty bugger at times, but I think it's safe to assume that he knows his onions regarding midfield play.
Overall, I think he's worth sticking with and nurturing. As a young player, he is open to coaching and his stamina and game awareness can be improved under a good coach. In a better functioning team, he can be a real asset, but probably needs taking out of the firing line for now. That said, if you get an offer for silly money then you'd have to consider it, especially with financial fair play constraints and a new/redeveloped stadium to contend with. As I said earlier, however, it may be that the Premier League is not his ideal home.
I think he's a fascinating player that could go either way. My feeling is that he might be better suited to playing in Italy or Spain than in England, where his lack of intensity and stamina are major weaknesses.
So for me, the main issue is what is he? A 6, 8 or a 10? For me, he's a bit of everything, a kind of hybrid, but not ideal for any role. He could develop into a 6 in his later career, but at the moment his lack of stamina and intensity are big no nos for this position. An 8 seems his ideal home, but only in a three-man midfield, similar to what Howe plays or Klopp played (though his lack of intensity would be a big issue in a Klopp team). I think a Pep midfield and style of play would suit him best. A 10? Maybe for now as I thought the intricate triangles he played with Saka and Trent (when he got on the pitch) for England last summer were fantastic to watch at times. Scholes also said that he might be best in this position for now and you have to respect his opinion! But overall, as others have said, I don't really think he's a natural 10, especially as he gets older and more mature. He can create, but he's not enough of a threat to be a ten.
I think Souness hit the nail in the head when he said he doesn't understand the position. People didn't want to hear as he was still in his honeymoon period, but he was totally correct. Mainoo often makes it hard for centre-backs to pass to him by effectively marking an opposition midfeilder. I know he is capable of playing well in tight spaces, but it can also look like he is hiding somewhat, putting further pressure on his midfield partner. Souness was a dirty bugger at times, but I think it's safe to assume that he knows his onions regarding midfield play.
Overall, I think he's worth sticking with and nurturing. As a young player, he is open to coaching and his stamina and game awareness can be improved under a good coach. In a better functioning team, he can be a real asset, but probably needs taking out of the firing line for now. That said, if you get an offer for silly money then you'd have to consider it, especially with financial fair play constraints and a new/redeveloped stadium to contend with. As I said earlier, however, it may be that the Premier League is not his ideal home.
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I think getting a role model in midfield would help.
Man Utd 0:2 Newcastle
New
Did well tonight
He was a bright spot for sure. Probably his best appearance this season
Only one leaving that game with credit
Pretty much the only positive tonight, he's struggled this season but he was good tonight in a team that was terrible around him.
Best I've seen him in a long time. Really aggressive off the ball and tidy on it
We were miles better when he came on.
Was very good the lad
Glad he had a good game today. Linked up play well and wasn't geriatric. Long may it continue.
Our best player by a mile tonight.
Best player today. And back to ball winning which had been absent since his return from injury. Played around 60 mins, 5 tackles and okay on the ball which was an upgrade on Zirkzee, Casemiro and Eriksen who were all poor
Played well when he came on and was the only real positive.
Laid a chance on a plate to Casemiro, who couldn't hit the target and then chose to moan at Mainoo rather than accept his own error.
Laid a chance on a plate to Casemiro, who couldn't hit the target and then chose to moan at Mainoo rather than accept his own error.
Actually played well when he came on.
6/10 performance, his best of the season.
That's the Mainoo I remember from last season.
The only decent performer.
Thought he played well when coming on. Hope he can be fired up from the start in upcoming matches.
Very low bar but easily the best he's played this season.
Wasn't shit. Maybe about the only player who can say that today.
Was really good today
Looked back to his old self and help change the flow of the game.