Kobbie Mainoo

Teja said:

I think on the ball he was fine. For whatever reason we didn't give him the ball much.

Defensively the whole midfield seemed overrun. It got better when dalot started stepping into the middle in the second half but really out matched physically.

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Yea, we didn’t invert Dalot most of this game and Bruno didn’t drop as deep, so Mainoo was always double-teamed when looking to pick the ball up off the back line. Definitely a tactical decision, and I think that costs us in terms of quality of possession and midfield control.

Part of me wishes he’d split the center halves to pick up the ball anyway but if he’s not doing that today then I assume he’s been told not to.

I thought the thread would be full of praise, his first touch is ridiculous and he kept getting out of tough spots for other players to lose it quickly.

He needs to improve his stamina and long balls but that was a good performance, especially on the ball.

Solius said:

Couldn’t tell if he was knackered or just slow. Still had a quietly good game.

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He is being used in a similar right sided midfield role that McT and Mount have also been in, not quite as advanced, but it gives him a lot of ground to cover in transition and Ten Hag's gameplan seems to be all about creating and allowing transitions.

I think he excels in a more orthodox, compact midfield set up and as Utd develop with him he will likely end up in a role more fitting to his key strengths.

The run of games that he's started has included some ridiculously tough away fixtures. He has done so well. The footwork to pass back to Dalot, ridiculous. Love everything im seeing from him.

He was still our best player in midfield by quite a distance

Mainoo in the CM has 3 wins on the bounce in the league now...his body will be under a lot of strain for an 18 year old but it's such valuable experience.

Play the Mainoo, Garnacho, Hojlund trio as much as possible to make this season feel more worthwhile simple down to the amount of games they will have accumulated.

His little touch around the Villa LB to get it out of his feet and feed Dalot for that cross was terrific. Not one other player in our squad pulls that off.

If I were ETH, I'd be telling my CBs to always be looking for him. He's so composed, whenever he gets closed down, he almost always takes a defender out of the game

surprised at some of the comments, Villa are a good side and strong in CM, tough game.

I thought he played well considering Villa have superior athletes centrally. Our big issue is that we can't seem to match teams like Villa physically and athletically which gives those teams a advantage in the game hence getting over-run centrally becomes a bigger worry than it should be. I think it's very easy to see where the improvement can come in that regard and which players need to be replaced to see that improvement.

He was okay.

Which for an 18 year old in an important match between the opponents in 5th place in the league and at home, and his team that are 6th place is pretty impressive.

Some good touches and moments, he also had 4 key passes which was 2nd only to Bruno with 8 out of our team. So he was our 2nd best link from midfield to attack and getting attacking players the ball where they could engineer an eventual shot.

Defensively Casemiro had a big ball winning game and was clearly our main ball winner out there. He made 9 tackles although he was also beaten 4 times by a dribble while Mainoo made 2 tackles and an interception on top, but was dribbled past 2 times as well. Bruno also made 4 tackles and was beaten 4 times by a dribble.

Villa were still able to cut through our team very well with their dribbling and teamplay finding spaces to attack at will. And yes some of that certainly comes down to Casemiro and Mainoo together. But a lot of it involves the whole team not coming together and defending well enough, tracking players and so on. Both our midfielders were booked too.

So yeah Casemiro did the majority of the defending and won the ball a lot, but was still beaten a bunch and Mainoo did less whilst also having players go past him a few times. And thats on top of times where runners werent tracked by our midfielders.

Casemiro and Mainoo had a lot to do defensively and did a lot defensively together but Villa would be happy with the amount they were able to get past them. They were overworked and while they had some success it could still have been a lot more and they could have stopped more players running at them with the ball.

AnotherLondonManc said:

His little touch around the Villa LB to get it out of his feet and feed Dalot for that cross was terrific. Not one other player in our squad pulls that off.

If I were ETH, I'd be telling my CBs to always be looking for him. He's so composed, whenever he gets closed down, he almost always takes a defender out of the game

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I was thinking the same thing. Lovely technique in a tight space.

He's clearly got something about him but it's still clear he's 18 especially off the ball. You can also tell he's probably more suited to a side that is a lot better in possession but is still able to pull out really good moments of quality.

Adnan said:

I thought he played well considering Villa have superior athletes centrally. Our big issue is that we can't seem to match teams like Villa physically and athletically which gives those teams a advantage in the game hence getting over-run centrally becomes a bigger worry than it should be. I think it's very easy to see where the improvement can come in that regard and which players need to be replaced to see that improvement.

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Yeah. Fernandes, Casemiro, and Mainoo is good, but beatable midfield three with some obvious flaws (pace, strength). But we kind of already knew that.

Had a nice part in the winning goal at the end.

Good performance overall.

Quiet game from him, but it happens he's a youngster. Still nothing too disastrous he'll be class.

I too am surprised by the expectations? of Mainoo or at least the perception of an off game. I thought he was very good in making the right decisions in the first half and showed quick feet and a quick mind in tight areas.
I wasn’t worried when he was booked either, shows his temperament.

Made a couple mistakes but so did everyone on the pitch. For such a polished display I’m reluctant to be critical rather than positive.

Still think he's better as a 6, and would benefit from having a box to box midfielder next to him.

Having said that, he's shown in the last few games that he's comfortable in the last third, yet again playing a big part in our goal.

DWelbz19 said:

Yeah. Fernandes, Casemiro, and Mainoo is good, but beatable midfield three with some obvious flaws (pace, strength). But we kind of already knew that.

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I'm going to include Maguire in that also because when he comes centrally into midfield to try and win the ball back, he can also create big problems for the out of possession shape due to him getting easily turned by opponents. In the 14th minute in the game against Villa he was turned so easily by the opponent that it almost resulted in Villa creating a very good chance.

I think raising the physical/athletic level of the team without compromising on technical ability is the way forward.

Adnan said:

I'm going to include Maguire in that also because when he comes centrally into midfield to try and win the ball back, he can also create big problems for the out of possession shape due to him getting easily turned by opponent's. In the 14th minute in the game against Villa he was turned so easily by the opponent that it almost resulted in Villa creating a very good chance.

I think raising the physical/athletic level of the team without compromising on technical ability is the way forward.

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I like Harry - I think he’s a very good CB in the right system - but that system isn’t one that wants him to be an aggressive front-foot defender the way ETH does. He gets turned too easily. Obviously I’d still play him ahead of Victor but it’s going to be a struggle without Martinez and we really need to overhaul the CB position this summer.

What I love about him is that he almost never gives the ball away, even when defending in front of his own goal. His first thought is not to lump it forward in panic, but rather, to pass it to the nearest player, thus not giving possession away. I believe that this eventually will help us control matches going forward, as we need players that don't turn over possession as fast as some of the other players do.

The kid does very little wrong, which is great to see because some of his team mates do a lot wrong fairly often.

His composure is ridiculous considering he's surrounded by carnage half the time.

Mickeza said:

I like Harry - I think he’s a very good CB in the right system - but that system isn’t one that wants him to be an aggressive front-foot defender the way ETH does. He gets turned too easily. Obviously I’d still play him ahead of Victor but it’s going to be a struggle without Martinez and we really need to overhaul the CB position this summer.

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Agreed.

Dan_F said:

Isn’t it the tactics? We’ve had so many midfield combinations and it’s always the same. The starting position of the second midfielder always seems 5 yards higher than it needs to be.

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Yeah I’m starting to think it might be as well. Same with certain other drawbacks that just keep happening, it’s like it’s by design.

SteveCoppellFan said:

The kid does very little wrong, which is great to see because some of his team mates do a lot wrong fairly often.

His composure is ridiculous considering he's surrounded by carnage half the time.

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The fact that even a relatively poor/subdued performance is a competent one is revelatory in this side. And ridiculous for an 18 year old. We’ve gotta make sure there’s as little pressure on him as possible when he inevitably gets knackered and sloppy…(which is easier said than done with the current state of our fan base)

2 man midfield said:

Yeah I’m starting to think it might be as well. Same with certain other drawbacks that just keep happening, it’s like it’s by design.

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Normally it is to allow a full back, usually Dalot to invert, Mainoo/Mount/McT push up super high trying to drag an opposition player with him, creating the space in midfield.

Didn't see much of that today though.

Walters_19_MuFc said:

Still think he's better as a 6, and would benefit from having a box to box midfielder next to him.

Having said that, he's shown in the last few games that he's comfortable in the last third, yet again playing a big part in our goal.

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He has the brain and ability to be an #8, but right now, not the body, I feel. CM/#8 is your engine room for the entire team and where the most dogged runners who can output the same intensity all game are found. Watching him at #8, in terms of athleticism and stamina, he’s about a 3 in a league full of 6’s and 7’s and the occasional indefatigable 8’s through to caps like peak Kante at 10. He cannot match these grown men for physical output and is so reliant on his technical and positional skills to make up for it that it’s insane he can still mix it whilst being so handicapped at the moment. At #6, he gets to observe, conserve, use pockets of skill and then take a breather; at #8, downtime is considerably less and on/off the ball, he has to be perpetually outputting at a higher intensity. The game can leave him behind as he catches his breath or has to be selective in when he goes for his next maximum output burst. He might have the same intent as a Modric or Xavi, but currently his stamina level is absolutely dwarfed by theirs, so it’s going to take time for him to get those grown-up perks that’ll ultimately set in good stead as a CM, if that’s what he’s destined to be.

Made no secret of him being comfortably the highlight of the season for me, but I think his physical constraints are apparent and despite them, he still plays a key role in the side. It’s going to be a revelation when he can battle and tussle and run hard all game compared to now where he’s getting by purely on wits and guile.

The boy is insane.

Did good against a team that love to pack the middle, and his little croquetta layoff for Dalot's cross was delicious. I honestly thought he fumbled it in real time, but no - he's just that good.

The one thing he did that I didn't like was his nervous look at the ref for the yellow. Keep your stride and don't look back, you might just away with it!

So glad we had this guy come through this season. He’s quality and will only get better

kafta said:

The run of games that he's started has included some ridiculously tough away fixtures. He has done so well. The footwork to pass back to Dalot, ridiculous. Love everything im seeing from him.

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AnotherLondonManc said:

His little touch around the Villa LB to get it out of his feet and feed Dalot for that cross was terrific. Not one other player in our squad pulls that off.

If I were ETH, I'd be telling my CBs to always be looking for him. He's so composed, whenever he gets closed down, he almost always takes a defender out of the game

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Such a key little moment of skill that ultimately led to the goal imo.

He's great and could be a huge player for us if he keeps the head down and we dont give him ridiculous contracts.
Onwards and upwards Kobe.

Best bit about him is how calm he is with the ball. He always looks like he has a second extra to make his mind up.

He needs to impose himself more. Not sure how many touches he had but the game seems to pass him by for some periods

One of the best players in the team right now. He lacks a bit athleticism but still one of our best.
But he just seems a natural nr 6 to me. Much more quiet and out of the game after Cases return. Like all other players in that very same role before him.
Play him as a 6 and let Case go more box to box instead. Casemiros legs are not quite there for it but i miss his contribution in attack.

Gordon S said:

Play him as a 6 and let Case go more box to box instead.

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It wouldn’t work, Casemiro is better as a 6. But Mainoo is more of a DLP than a box to box, so far at least. He doesn’t yet have the physique for a box to box, it will come

When his athleticism improves (as he grows up) he is going to be some bloody midfielder

Adnan said:

I thought he played well considering Villa have superior athletes centrally. Our big issue is that we can't seem to match teams like Villa physically and athletically which gives those teams a advantage in the game hence getting over-run centrally becomes a bigger worry than it should be. I think it's very easy to see where the improvement can come in that regard and which players need to be replaced to see that improvement.

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Yeah, the obvious move is to sign an athletic DM to play as a #6 and pair him with Mainoo (who would have some license to get forward too and sort of float between being in a double pivot or moving wider and higher as we go into a 4-3-3 once we've built up the play), assuming we can find someone who fits that bill. Tchouameni would have been a great buy if we got there before Madrid.

AnotherLondonManc said:

His little touch around the Villa LB to get it out of his feet and feed Dalot for that cross was terrific. Not one other player in our squad pulls that off.

If I were ETH, I'd be telling my CBs to always be looking for him. He's so composed, whenever he gets closed down, he almost always takes a defender out of the game

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Lindelof had that panicky little ball up the line and the next time he got it went straight to Mainoo. We've definitely missed having midfielders you can give the ball to in tight spaces.