[Raven]

Yeah, I’m sure there’s a plan for him. But he might need to work on his conditioning and agility before being trusted completely by Amorim.

That could be something he's working on with him, for sure, he shouldn't have been playing as many minutes as he has been anyway, I think Amorim will rotate the team far more often.

 

[gajender]

Worried about him after hearing Amorims post match comments. Looks like he sees Bruno as his number 8 and specifically mentioned how he’s the best at switching the ball, as amazing as he is in tight spaces and linking up, Kobbies one weakness (or maybe it was tactics) would be his longer passing range. Could be a Bruno Ugarte pivot for the foreseeable. Could he maybe play as a left 10?

Its too early to make any judgement , Players would play their way into the squad as well as play their way out of it .

While I liked what I saw from Bruno today but I seriously doubt he has the attributes to succeed in Premier League as one of the deeper players , Mainoo would have fair shot to take that spot .

 

[pocco]

Worried about him after hearing Amorims post match comments. Looks like he sees Bruno as his number 8 and specifically mentioned how he’s the best at switching the ball, as amazing as he is in tight spaces and linking up, Kobbies one weakness (or maybe it was tactics) would be his longer passing range. Could be a Bruno Ugarte pivot for the foreseeable. Could he maybe play as a left 10?

I think he’d be better as a 10 in this system. I particularly want to see him play close to Amad, think they’d link up well. Mainoo has the ability to play between the lines which is something these lot struggle with.

 

[sideshowbob]

Yeah, when you consider the areas he scored against Wolves, Liverpool and City last season I could see the 10 position really suiting him.

Unfortunately I think Amorim is set on an inverted RWB so I think that’s going to be Amads position. I could see Mount and Mainoo working as the two 10s, Mount gives the pressing and industry whereas Kobbie has the tight space ability to create things for the team. Would mean Hojlund needs to stretch the defence with channel runs to create space for those two in the pockets.

Would be interesting to see as I don’t think Rashford and Garnacho should be starting at the minute. Garna a solid option when the game opens up late on

 

[Stadjer]

Seems like he needs some time to play himself back into form after the injury. He will miss the Arsenal game now because of his own bad touch

 

[Ekeke]

Decent return. Didnt win the ball like his previous matches before injury and didnt take players on but also didnt lose the ball. Had 1 or 2 longer searching passes but in general I'd still like to see him do more of that

 

[3KDré]

Looked rusty. I don't think he'd have played against Arsenal anyway. Casemiro - Ugarte looked very solid as it is, so no biggie.

 

[P-Nut]

Looked rusty. I don't think he'd have played against Arsenal anyway. Casemiro - Ugarte looked very solid as it is, so no biggie.

Yeah had the same thought, seemed this game was picked out to get him going again before a rest midweek

 

[MadDogg]

Looked rusty. I don't think he'd have played against Arsenal anyway. Casemiro - Ugarte looked very solid as it is, so no biggie.

He might have come off the bench against Arsenal, but yeah he almost certainly wouldn't have started it. Shame that we miss that option off the bench though.

 

[klayton88]

Wish he was a yard faster. Sadly think this is as fast as he'll get.

 

[AnotherLondonManc]

Wish he was a yard faster. Sadly think this is as fast as he'll get.

Always nice to have more speed, but when you're technically good enough, it's never necessary.

I see Mainoo in the mould of an Iniesta (lofty, I know. Let's aim high) - a ball carrying, press resistant CM. He's already bigger physically than Iniesta at 19 years old, he just needs to add that final third part to his game.

 

[klayton88]

Always nice to have more speed, but when you're technically good enough, it's never necessary.

I see Mainoo in the mould of an Iniesta (lofty, I know. Let's aim high) - a ball carrying, press resistant CM. He's already bigger physically than Iniesta at 19 years old, he just needs to add that final third part to his game.

Iniesta wouldn't have had the time he had on the ball if he played in England. Not taking away from his as a player but to me it's a bit redundant comparing two players who have never played in the same league.

Kobbie is still still finding match fitness but it is a lingering concern for me that he always looked goosed on 70m mark, hopefully because he was criminally overplayed last season but Hojlund looks the same. These lads aren't used to working as hard as they are being asked to now, that's why rotation and fitness is going to be key. Hopefully we have new backroom medical or is it the same as last season?

 

[Lentwood]

So much quality, you don't need to worry about a player like this. Amorim will find a position for him because he's a good coach and Mainoo is a good player

 

[Cassidy]

Iniesta wouldn't have had the time he had on the ball if he played in England. Not taking away from his as a player but to me it's a bit redundant comparing two players who have never played in the same league.

Kobbie is still still finding match fitness but it is a lingering concern for me that he always looked goosed on 70m mark, hopefully because he was criminally overplayed last season but Hojlund looks the same. These lads aren't used to working as hard as they are being asked to now, that's why rotation and fitness is going to be key. Hopefully we have new backroom medical or is it the same as last season?

So we are going to pretend that Iniesta would not have been a brilliant player in the PL like David Silva was. Ok

 

[klayton88]

So we are going to pretend that Iniesta would not have been a brilliant player in the PL like David Silva was. Ok

I said it's hard to compare two players who haven't played in the same league and that Iniesta wouldn't have been afforded as much time on the ball had he played in the Prem. You take whatever narrative you want from it though bud.

 

[Sandikan]

Looked a fair bit off the pace today, but has been out a while.
Plenty of games to be had in December, despite missing the midweeker.

 

[Alemar]

Will most likely start next weekend, and maybe it’s good for him to now play a game a week to be able to fully recover and find form.

 

[Rasmus_9]

Great to see him back and also great to know that there are other options so he won’t be over played

 

[Ali Dia]

Looked rusty. I don't think he'd have played against Arsenal anyway. Casemiro - Ugarte looked very solid as it is, so no biggie.

Our bench looks very stacked now all of a sudden. We have a really strong squad we just need to get some more players into form and fitness at the same time. The talent and the cover is there. The belief and motivation has been lacking but we look to be a happier club since the new manager has come in.

 

[Borys]

Always nice to have more speed, but when you're technically good enough, it's never necessary.

I see Mainoo in the mould of an Iniesta (lofty, I know. Let's aim high) - a ball carrying, press resistant CM. He's already bigger physically than Iniesta at 19 years old, he just needs to add that final third part to his game.

That only works if you have the ball. There very clearly is a (minor) issue with Mainoo off the ball, he looks rather slow on top speed. But imo this is magnified when playing alongside Casemiro, as he seems to be moving so slow that the ground to cover seems huge.

We are heading towards Ugarte - Mainoo midfield for sure. Our problem however is we have too many slow players in midfield, but I doubt Casemiro and Eriksen will be here next season anyway.

 

[themanguydude]

Upon rewatching the game, it's quite clear that he's not up to speed tactically yet, there's still a lot of remnants of Ten Hag ball in his game.

In the first half he was still trying to do the Ten Hag style build up by dropping into the backline, which is completely unnecessary in Amorim's system. It make sense in a system with 2 CB to create a 3 man backline, but in Amorim's system it basically created a back 4 with Maz pushed way out wide and leaving Case alone in the midfield.

Another was passing the ball backwards and then immediately making a sprint behind the opposition backline, which suits Ten Hag's fast transition tactics, but fecks up our more structured build up under Amorim.

Good thing was he stopped doing those things in the 2nd half

 

[dutchred]

He needs to get match fit and up to speed on Amorin's style. But class is class and he will be vital for us going forward. He will replace CAsemiro alongside Ugarte

 

[Fobal]

Iniesta wouldn't have had the time he had on the ball if he played in England. Not taking away from his as a player but to me it's a bit redundant comparing two players who have never played in the same league.

Kobbie is still still finding match fitness but it is a lingering concern for me that he always looked goosed on 70m mark, hopefully because he was criminally overplayed last season but Hojlund looks the same. These lads aren't used to working as hard as they are being asked to now, that's why rotation and fitness is going to be key. Hopefully we have new backroom medical or is it the same as last season?

The problem with the comparison it's not that, the problem it's to compare a legend with a player just starting. Worse using a legend so gifted as Iniesta was.

To make things worse, It's also a bit too much to think that Iniesta would have struggle with the EPL pace. Iniesta would have struggle with some coach, the team involved if they do not get what he brings to the table or unable to interact with him, but not on a pace/technical/awarness level.
I still recall some of Iniesta's first games for Barca, he was an instant CRACK.

 

[ArbeitervonWien]

He needs to get match fit and up to speed on Amorin's style. But class is class and he will be vital for us going forward. He will replace CAsemiro alongside Ugarte

Amorim hasn't played a Casemiro - Ugarte midfield and I don't think he will. Both of them will occupy the DM-spot, while the other spot at the center is for Mainoo, Bruno, Mount or Eriksen.

 

[Rossa]

Looked a fair bit off the pace today, but has been out a while.
Plenty of games to be had in December, despite missing the midweeker.

Hos touch was a little off, and he played it very safe. None of those brilliant flicks and turns of his. Hopefully, we get to see that soon as he creates so much space by going past a man.

 

[Cassidy]

I said it's hard to compare two players who haven't played in the same league and that Iniesta wouldn't have been afforded as much time on the ball had he played in the Prem. You take whatever narrative you want from it though bud.

Its not actually that hard to compare players who play in different leagues

 

[Mainoonited]

Iniesta wouldn't have had the time he had on the ball if he played in England. Not taking away from his as a player but to me it's a bit redundant comparing two players who have never played in the same league.

Kobbie is still still finding match fitness but it is a lingering concern for me that he always looked goosed on 70m mark, hopefully because he was criminally overplayed last season but Hojlund looks the same. These lads aren't used to working as hard as they are being asked to now, that's why rotation and fitness is going to be key. Hopefully we have new backroom medical or is it the same as last season?

What a terrible take on Iniesta. Him Xavi and Besquests embarrassed the best teams in the world for years. As if the Jimmy Bullards or Joey Bartons of the world were going to give him a problem.

 

[Lay]

He's been average this season but most of it was under ETH. I have high hopes for him under Amorim

 

[Bondi77]

It wasn't a great game for him.
As technically sound as he is I think he is going to have to lift his workrate under Ruben and be a bit quicker covering ground but he is not Robinson Crusoe in that regard.

 

[Baneofthegame]

Seems a bit off the pace which is understandable considering he’s just come back from injury and is getting used to the new system.

Hopefully the rotation Amorim seems to be doing will help him as well.

 

[bosnian_red]

Thought he started well the opening 15 and then kinda struggled for a bit before being fine the rest of it. Was efficient with the ball and played some nice passes. Lot more to come from him. Shit to get a suspension right away.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

Too early for him. Needs time to gain sharpness.

 

[Oranges038]

Saw a stat that he has 5 yellows from 13 fouls.

Seems mental, it feels like he's only played about 3 games.

 

[Raven]

Thought he did well enough after a pretty long time out. He showed some rustiness, especially when he lost the ball just outside our own box, but showed some nice touches and couple of really nice passes to remind us of his quality. He'll grow into this side, he's too good not to.

 

[romufc]

It wasn't a great game for him.
As technically sound as he is I think he is going to have to lift his workrate under Ruben and be a bit quicker covering ground but he is not Robinson Crusoe in that regard.

Agreed, was quite poor this game.

Interestingly, he is probably one of the players that has trained alot, he should really have picked up the system more.

He ended up roaming leavng Casemiro on his own, something Amorim needs to work on.

 

[flappyjay]

Doing a great Tom Cleverly impression. He needs to be more adventurous with his passing.

 

[Makalu]

I love him but too often he's a passenger in games. If he's to make it as a Utd midfielder he needs to demand possession and make things happen. In the 2nd half today, it seemed he was intentionally making himself unavailable to pass to.

 

[Borys]

Is he following instructions or just low on confidence? Anyway doesn't look fit enough to play and the touch is also a bit sketchy, what is more of a surprise.

 

[Rozay]

Like Pogba, but a bit less good.

 

[AjaxCunian]

A midfielder who's not good at passing, we can't afford stuff like that anymore. Needs to be upgraded with a ball playing midfielder this summer.