[tomaldinho1]

To be fair there were more people who said it wasn't his role and questioned whether he was good enough to play for United.

Redcafe is generally much better than Reddit though, who basically downvote you for saying anything other than positive nonsense.

The first part is what I am saying, the second is fine as an opinion as much as I think it's silly - it could well be true long term.

 

[Borninthe80ts]

Although he has found form again further forward as a number 10 so to speak I still think he has the ability to play deeper and help control the game against different opponents. I liked how he rotated a few times with Bruno where one came deep and the other spun in behind and made the run in behind the opposition defence.

Although he can carry the ball, when playing one twos and moving defender’s about he comes alive and creates chances. Would like to see him link with Amad as much as possible and continue to help set the rhythm of the team. Hopefully the fickleness of the media and others won’t affect him long term like it has some I feel.

We’re lucky to have him.

 

[RedDevilCanuck]

He'll be an CAM and work his way deeper like Scholes.

 

[red woppit]

He'll be an CAM and work his way deeper like Scholes.

Exactly what I was thinking.
He has the ability to play passes quickly, to feet, and move to get the return pass. He also times his passes well, what he lacks at the moment is the longer passing ability, the instant realisation of where an opponent is when defending, and pure physicality. This will eventually appear in his game when he has finished growing, and he has the experience of possibly 100 games in the Prem and Europe.
He also looks like he has the ability to take chances when given the opportunity, better than any other player in the squad I would say.

 

[OverratedOpinion]

I find Mainoo a fundamentally horrible player to watch. He's so good in tight spaces and at quick 1 touch passing that he will constantly go into spaces where I am almost certain he will lose the ball, then he doesn't.

Watching him is a constant rollercoaster of "ah shit we are going to lose it" then "wow look at that touch".

 

[MattofManchester]

These are sort of posts we were getting a few weeks back on a 19 year old in his second full season.

Why dont fans have patience with players anymore?

I'm pretty sure I clearly stated as one of the two CMs. He got moved to the 10.

He is a far better player as a 10, but is severely limited in a more defensive role, because he doesn't have that kind of athleticism to get up and down the pitch the way Amorim wants them to. That is true as of right now. The future is future. It hasn't happened yet, and these were the issues he is exposed to as a CM.

I know reading comprehension is difficult, but the bar wasn't set very high.

 

[Brwned]

I think when you put him in that position it causes all sorts of problem for the opponents naturally. He's good at tight spaces, quick thinking, and capable of releasing quick, accurate passes. Simply a nightmare to play against in that position. The best AMs are rarely a physical specimen, they're very intelligent players who catch defenders off guard with brilliant touches and passes. Let him play there and let others play deeper. Including Bruno. I think he fits that profile more than a CM who sits deep.

The thing you’ve got to weigh up with Kobbie vs Bruno in midfield is whether you want a midfielder that’s press resistant or one who can control the tempo and open up the pitch with their passing. They’re both somewhat vulnerable defensively in different ways, but it’s not a major problem. It is a big problem in some types of games that Bruno’s so vulnerable to the press, but in most games it’s an even bigger problem that Kobbie can’t control or open up the game. Last year we could get away with it because Casemiro or Eriksen would stretch the game, they just happened to do that for the opposition too. This year with Ugarte it just placed a lot more responsibility on Kobbie and he had no answer for it.

 

[RuudTom83]

I'll hold my hands up, I wasn't on the side of the Cafe who was calling for him to play in one of the no.10 roles.

But he did great! and by Amorim's comments he liked him there as well.

 

[OverratedOpinion]

The thing you’ve got to weigh up with Kobbie vs Bruno in midfield is whether you want a midfielder that’s press resistant or one who can control the tempo and open up the pitch with their passing. They’re both somewhat vulnerable defensively in different ways, but it’s not a major problem. It is a big problem in some types of games that Bruno’s so vulnerable to the press, but in most games it’s an even bigger problem that Kobbie can’t control or open up the game. Last year we could get away with it because Casemiro or Eriksen would stretch the game, they just happened to do that for the opposition too. This year with Ugarte it just placed a lot more responsibility on Kobbie and he had no answer for it.

I think when they play together it will be a little more fluid, Bruno can still go and Mainoo will tuck in. They seem to have a good understanding between them.

I also think Bruno has looked notably calmer under the press lately. Never too old to add a string to your bow.

 

[romufc]

I'm pretty sure I clearly stated as one of the two CMs. He got moved to the 10.

He is a far better player as a 10, but is severely limited in a more defensive role, because he doesn't have that kind of athleticism to get up and down the pitch the way Amorim wants them to. That is true as of right now. The future is future. It hasn't happened yet, and these were the issues he is exposed to as a CM.

I know reading comprehension is difficult, but the bar wasn't set very high.

Its alright, it happens you jump the gun sometimes.

I am not sure if you saw the team, we played 2 CM's and 2 10's, one of 2 can mean alot of things... if you are going to teach someone comprehension.. get it right yourself lad.

You keep harping on about Mainoo's lack of Athletic ability, you do realize you need athleticism in the 10 position too?

You have been very critical saying he doesn't move enough, he doesn't have passing range,

Maybe in your dictionary it might mean different.

 

[the_cliff]

I'll hold my hands up, I wasn't on the side of the Cafe who was calling for him to play in one of the no.10 roles.

But he did great! and by Amorim's comments he liked him there as well.

He's much more suited to a 10 role than Bruno. Quite surprised it took Amorim this long to try it.

 

[lex talionis]

I really hope GLAZINEOS see the wisdom of keeping Kobbie Mainoo. That it’s even under consideration that we would cash in on him now boggles the mind. Hopefully it’s nothing more than tabloid shite the British media are famous for peddling.

The boy was brilliant last night and when the time comes for the England NT to reconvene I have no doubt that Mainoo will be among the first names called.

 

[Andy_Cole]

I really hope GLAZINEOS see the wisdom of keeping Kobbie Mainoo. That it’s even under consideration that we would cash in on him now boggles the mind. Hopefully it’s nothing more than tabloid shite the British media are famous for peddling.

The boy was brilliant last night and when the time comes for the England NT to reconvene I have no doubt that Mainoo will be among the first names called.

Just on a marketing point of view if anything. Our new poster boy.

 

[TwoSheds]

Just on a marketing point of view if anything. Our new poster boy.

Oh feck off with the marketing, we're a football club and that is the basis on which our players should be chosen. We've lost too many years of success and too many good young players to branding and clicks.

 

[RuudTom83]

He's much more suited to a 10 role than Bruno. Quite surprised it took Amorim this long to try it.

Maybe Collyer’s emergence has freed up Mainoo to move forward.

Amorim might actually see Ugarte, Bruno and Collyer more as him CM options. Especially over the last month.

Lets see how Mainoo does in a premier league match next.

 

[Spark]

He’s been a bit off the boil this season, but then so has everyone.

However when he plays well, he is absolutely phenomenal. I’m sure we’ll have a few more weaker performances and people saying he’s slow etc, but feck me he is legitimately exciting in a way very few are.

Selling him would be next level stupid.

 

[Brwned]

I think when they play together it will be a little more fluid, Bruno can still go and Mainoo will tuck in. They seem to have a good understanding between them.

I also think Bruno has looked notably calmer under the press lately. Never too old to add a string to your bow.

Yep, agree on both counts!

 

[romufc]

I think when they play together it will be a little more fluid, Bruno can still go and Mainoo will tuck in. They seem to have a good understanding between them.

I also think Bruno has looked notably calmer under the press lately. Never too old to add a string to your bow.

Its the perception that he looks calmer on the press.. the set up allows him to look that way.

He knows when the ball comes to him, a first time pass is available in certain areas for him, whereas before it was his responsibility to create, so he used to try a bit too often.

Amorim has warned players, don't leave your positions, we will score goals via patterns of play. So we are seing a bit more disciplined Bruno now.

 

[Greck]

It has just been.so.goddamn long since we had a technical wizard in central attack. We always have to go long or go wide because the others treat the ball like it's about to self-destruct. No poise or build up. This is what we thought Zirkzee would look like in every game.

Don't know if his future lies there but it should make us realize it's time to stop messing around in the market buying attackers who can't do basics.

 

[GueRed]

It was obvious watching Mainoo in the under 18's that he operated best in and around the opposition's penalty box.

Looks like Amorim will continue to give him opportunities to make the most of his talent by playing him as one of the 10's in this 343 system...

Hope he does well. The other night he was very good..

Maybe over time he'll evolve and develop into an all round CM.

For now Imo he should stay further up the pitch.

 

[Berbaclass]

Obviously not a forward but starting to think he may not have a place in this team.

It's okay playing well as a 10 against Romanian sides in the Europe but he isn't good enough to play anywhere other than in the midfield 2.

 

[pascell]

Obviously not a forward but starting to think he may not have a place in this team.

It's okay playing well as a 10 against Romanian sides in the Europe but he isn't good enough to play anywhere other than in the midfield 2.

I said this about both Garnacho and Mainoo when it was reported neither were deemed unsellable anymore. That to me suggested the manager doesn't really have a role for either, or they don't suit the profile of player he likes to utilise.

Garnacho I think will be sold in summer, Mainoo will likely get next season to see if he develops any athleticism, if he doesn't, then he'll be sold next summer.

 

[Berbaclass]

I said this about both Garnacho and Mainoo when it was reported neither were deemed unsellable anymore. That to me suggested the manager doesn't really have a role for either, or they don't suit the profile of player he likes to utilise.

Garnacho I think will be sold in summer, Mainoo will likely get next season to see if he develops any athleticism, if he doesn't, then he'll be sold next summer.

Agree yeah.

 

[sammyhol]

Hard to judge him too harshly today.

Probably never played that role before in his life. Doing it against an in form team in the prem is a big ask.

He’s been given 1 game so far in the role that seemingly suits him best in this system, and albeit against a poor side it was a MOTM performance.

I’d wanna see him play many more games there before writing him off as not good enough.

As one of the midfield two though… I probably have seen enough barring a massive physical transformation. Doesn’t have the legs. Doesn’t have the range of passing. All of his best work is in tight spaces in the final 3rd.

It will be at 10 or nothing I reckon.

 

[Woodenlung]

I think you're all far too harsh on a 19 year old playing his second full season of professional football.

I get that we're all impatient for improvement, but talk of selling our most talented academy graduate in years, after a bad season, where his far more experienced teammates are more to blame, strikes me as wrong.

 

[criticalanalysis]

Worked fairly hard and was ok in some spurts and not so ok in some spurts. Neither here or there. Clearly not a false 9 though.

 

[Ekeke]

He did quite well as a 10 last game but given his decision making and passing are usually his weak point I think it was a poor idea to try and use him as a false 9 and I'm not sure he'll consistently do well as a 10.

 

[FromTheBench]

He did quite well as a 10 last game but given his decision making and passing are usually his weak point I think it was a poor idea to try and use him as a false 9 and I'm not sure he'll consistently do well as a 10.

He did well at 10 left sided role. Why put him at 9 next game.

 

[11101]

Hard to criticise him in that position but let's never play him there again. He was atrocious.

 

[El-Manos]

I said this about both Garnacho and Mainoo when it was reported neither were deemed unsellable anymore. That to me suggested the manager doesn't really have a role for either, or they don't suit the profile of player he likes to utilise.

Garnacho I think will be sold in summer, Mainoo will likely get next season to see if he develops any athleticism, if he doesn't, then he'll be sold next summer.

I mean you can’t sell the whole team like….maybe try and sell the proper duds first and replace them accordingly

 

[BluesJr]

Personally think it’s disappointing that he’s having to change position and not really what I hoped for from him. Going further forward just feels like a bit of cop out. Should have an absolutely nailed on position or he’s sellable.

 

[Shaw's Shank Redemption]

He did well at 10 left sided role. Why put him at 9 next game.

Exactly.

Garnacho up front would have made more sense with amad and mainoo trying to create chances for someone playing like a channel running striker Garnacho instead of Hojlund

The other thing is, with Zirkzee we have a natural False 9 - even he is average, we have yet to see Garanacho, Zirkzee, amad in a front 3 with Zirkzee playing deeper. Instead Amorim plays Zirkzee as a target man for Garnacho and Amad to create chances for. Then he does the tactic we should be playing with Zirkzee with bloody mainoo as a false 9.

 

[Eddy_JukeZ]

Playing him as the false 9 was just silly from Amorim. Like indefensible really.

 

[Lay]

Playing him as the false 9 was just silly from Amorim. Like indefensible really.

Agreed. What a weird choice that was. Just try him more as a ten

 

[IrishRedDevil]

Playing him as the false 9 was just silly from Amorim. Like indefensible really.

It was very strange. He's probably the least fit player in our squad?

 

[McLvnsMuse]

Come on guys.

This False 9 vs left 10 narrative is ridiculous. We tried him as a forward. It doesn’t work. Especially against decent opposition with little incentive to open up unnecessarily.

We tried him as a forward because our actual forwards are poor. They’ve been poor for a long time.

 

[arthurka]

He is struggling in the CM position and cant see him as a 10 but who knows.

 

[Jeffthered]

I think you're all far too harsh on a 19 year old playing his second full season of professional football.

I get that we're all impatient for improvement, but talk of selling our most talented academy graduate in years, after a bad season, where his far more experienced teammates are more to blame, strikes me as wrong.

What I want to see from him is more focus. He lapped up the hype after scoring a couple of goals and the goal in the Cup Final. But hey, remember Jesse Lingaard?

Mainoo should be aiming to be an energetic, young, fast, aggressive, midfield powerhouse.

But instead, what is he? A baller? Tackler? Passer? Goal-Scorer? A leader?

I have no idea. And that is exactly what he should be doing at his age, defining his game. He is young, but he needs to focus, because he is hardly a "generational" talent. Just get your head down, and work, work, work hard at your game.

 

[MyOnlySolskjaer]

It’s like playing Tom Cleverley at striker.

 

[Hammondo]

What I want to see from him is more focus. He lapped up the hype after scoring a couple of goals and the goal in the Cup Final. But hey, remember Jesse Lingaard?

Mainoo should be aiming to be an energetic, young, fast, aggressive, midfield powerhouse.

But instead, what is he? A baller? Tackler? Passer? Goal-Scorer? A leader?

I have no idea. And that is exactly what he should be doing at his age, defining his game. He is young, but he needs to focus, because he is hardly a "generational" talent. Just get your head down, and work, work, work hard at your game.

Collyer has been better.