Tend to agree, but Amrabat an 'energetic destroyer', really? And Casemiro's legs are gone, its all downhill from here.
Is Mainoo the real deal?
- Thread starter Samid
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One thing is for sure, he has a very high ceiling/potential. This is not enough to "make it" because he might as well end up like this guy who sits at home playing Call of Duty for 300k per week, but at the same time it already puts him a level above Hannibal/Pellistri (McTominay and Antony aren't even part of this conversation).
The most interesting thing about Mainoo is he seems to be using his brain rather than base his game on youthful energy, and that is promising.
The most interesting thing about Mainoo is he seems to be using his brain rather than base his game on youthful energy, and that is promising.
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Only time will tell, but what we saw against Everton looked exactly like what we saw in several pre-season games: Calm under pressure, good decisions, able to deliver forward passing reliably and also occasionally with great creativity. Above all and most impressively, the ability to think ahead of the game - he looks like he already knows what he's going to do as he receives the ball AND he's able to consistently execute that.
It's impossible not to feel hugely optimistic about what he could turn into, and already at the levels we saw on Sunday I don't think it's an exaggeration to call him our best no 6, until he proves that wrong.
It's impossible not to feel hugely optimistic about what he could turn into, and already at the levels we saw on Sunday I don't think it's an exaggeration to call him our best no 6, until he proves that wrong.
He is the kind of player we would envy Barcelona getting from La Masia, and finally it's our turn 
He would definitely be playing a lot of games for Barcelona, maybe even last season. I just hope we don't make the same mistake like Barcelona did with Pedri/Gavi and play him every single game from now on.
He would definitely be playing a lot of games for Barcelona, maybe even last season. I just hope we don't make the same mistake like Barcelona did with Pedri/Gavi and play him every single game from now on.
The difference with the other failed midfield prospects is that he has actually done it in a top level game now. Still, early days and anything could happen. It's good that he does not play in a glory position so won't be all over the back pages the second he scores a goal.
Being young, he is going to have a game or two where he is totally lost on the pitch. We need to manage him so it doesn't get to his confidence.
Being young, he is going to have a game or two where he is totally lost on the pitch. We need to manage him so it doesn't get to his confidence.
That would make a lot of sense, he is exactly their kind of player.
https://theanalyst.com/eu/2023/11/kobbie-mainoo-set-the-tone-man-utd-vs-everton/
Mainoo is closer to FDJ type than Casemeiro who is our main DM with big money and wages signing. It was known that ETH prefer FDJ before signing Casemeiro.
This kid is truly special but we’ve seen way too many youngsters getting overhyped and then thrown under the bus when things don’t go their way. I’m, at least, going to be calm and watch his development over the next couple of years. All the signs are there though that he can be a terrific player for us.
Probably everyone at Barca.
McEachran looked the bees knees when he first appeared. Convinced I was watching a future England CM.
Gilmour is a great little player and Brighton got him for buttons.
Two random players of reference but I have to say both looked more talented on first looks than Mainoo.
I tend to get excited about our youth but not seeing star quality quite yet. As you say however at a club where likes McFred have made large numbers of appearances in recent times he might be a good addition, especially with Case and Eriksen on the downward hill. I see him at around the Jimmy Garner level.
Pick one.
Adnan was managed by a desperate clown. No chance of ETH running Mainoo into the ground or putting him into impossible situations. Kobbie is the real deal but I have no doubt our manager will use him carefully.
Garner has never looked as good as Mainoo in any senior game he's played.
You absolutely have to go see an ophthalmologist mate.
Exactly. So you don’t want too similar a player next to him.
Pick one? What do you mean? He’s special and very talented. That’s not to say he’s going to be the next Paul Scholes.
i think Casemiro and Mainoo would be a good combination. Covering for each other defensively but also taking the ball out of defense into attack
This is my dream. Hoping Casemiro, even though injured can get some much needed rest and come back fresh.
He's shown that he
That's high praise indeed. He definitely has the fundamentals to become elite.
The same desperate clown who gave him his chance and also where he had his best season.
And yet Moyes was a desperate clown. Beyond what we already know about his mismanagement of United, he overworked Adnan, who as you rightly note has never been the same player since.
I feel everyone overrated him massively because they wanted something to cheer about in that depressing season.
Nope.
He's quality. But we've ruined loads of quality prospects.
Ten hag is the right type of manager to develop a player like him, he understands what that sort of midfielder needs and values those abilities rather than force him into a box to box role or obsess about end product. A first phase, deep build up midfielder is where he has huge potential... Keep him there. And I'm sure ten hag will. If ten hag is replaced, I'm not sure how Mainoo will be developed, and if it'll work.
Generally speaking, we've fecked a lot of the top prospects we've had because of the wrong managers being in, or them just not suiting the players or what that specific player needed. There is also the huge unknown about off the field issues, complacency, mental desire & determination, how they handle pressure... Nobody knows how that will go. Talent wise, he's got all it takes to be a world class player in the future. Talent is just a small part of the full equation though.
Ten hag is the right type of manager to develop a player like him, he understands what that sort of midfielder needs and values those abilities rather than force him into a box to box role or obsess about end product. A first phase, deep build up midfielder is where he has huge potential... Keep him there. And I'm sure ten hag will. If ten hag is replaced, I'm not sure how Mainoo will be developed, and if it'll work.
Generally speaking, we've fecked a lot of the top prospects we've had because of the wrong managers being in, or them just not suiting the players or what that specific player needed. There is also the huge unknown about off the field issues, complacency, mental desire & determination, how they handle pressure... Nobody knows how that will go. Talent wise, he's got all it takes to be a world class player in the future. Talent is just a small part of the full equation though.
The physical attributes he has combined with the touch, awareness, composure, the natural movement to find himself always open to receive the ball from the defence, can take it on the half turn, pause with the ball to draw in opposing players before either carrying past them or playing a pass to the open man, forward, to the side, etc., and then matching it up with strong defensive work rate and the knowledge of where and when to step in and cover spaces... What he showed vs Everton is a level that none of those names you've mentioned have shown. And he showed it on his full debut away to Everton.
As a deep midfielder, the guy to pick it up off the defenders, keep possession under pressure, dictate tempo, bypass the press and get it into better positions... He's got exactly what we want. It's about improving the consistency, developing, dominating more and more, but I don't need things like splitting passes from him (though he's capable of it from time to time), or goals from him. I don't want him box to box, there are loads of box to box players. A proper deep playmaker like what he showed vs Everton is rare and he has elite potential with it.
Game one always easier than game two and game three. I think give the kid a chance to have a good first start and play a few average (and below) games. His trajectory will not be linear. I do see great potential in him, great energy, great anticipation, technical ability, passing, vision, tackling, position etc, but I honestly think it will be 6 to 12 months to really know if he can handle being at the top, have consistency and deal with good and bad form. That said, no discrediting how good he was on Sunday, great performance.
Just don't run him into the ground. I fear what happens when he starts getting England call-ups. Whatever Barcelona is doing with their youngsters, do the exact opposite.
His read on the game and danger awareness was really good!
Most promising midfielder we've had in years. I hope we don't ruin him
Lets just hope Southgate stays and we'll have Mainoo for ourselves. Hendo gonna play until his 40s.
I really hope so - but we need to have patience.
He might well be amazing this season and then tail off next season. A lot of players look better initially because they are unknown entities and then in the second season are "found out" by the opposition.
He has the talent to be everything we want him to be - now let's give him time to develop.
He might well be amazing this season and then tail off next season. A lot of players look better initially because they are unknown entities and then in the second season are "found out" by the opposition.
He has the talent to be everything we want him to be - now let's give him time to develop.
It's what he does for Fiorentina. Basically their Casemiro.
Excellent username.
Let the kids gets on his way, the last thing he needs and we need is hyping him up. Let him develope his game gradually and naturally. We have at least some glime of hope in Midfield with him, the last thing ww want is hyping and then suddenly pressure mounting on him to perform and ask of him as our only hope to lift us from our shite season.
Looks a fantastic player. Hes 18 now and if hes consistant enough give him plenty of playing time. A game a week shouldnt hurt him.
It's a bit of a gamble, but I hope the kid lives upto it.
Quite right, this place needs positivity.
I’m so glad that over half the people on here on the poll aren’t adding to why we have issues. He looks promising, couple of good performances that bode well for the future. I’ve read stuff like he’s the new “Frenkie De Jong” FFS, it’s one of the reasons players fail here, too much hype too soon, we get far too excited by footballers who can play the game !
Should be starting every league game from now on. He’s better than the alternatives.