Plug and play midfielder.
37
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 27
- Goals
- 3
- Assists
- 1
- Yellow cards
- 3
There's a real pick your poison to his deployment until he matures athletically:
DM/Deep - Guarantees collection off backline and transition from 1st phase (receipt) to 2nd phase (progression) for the team. Positionally sound and aware of passing lanes for easy interceptions and rapid recycling of the ball. Can play out more of the game from this position because it asks for a lot less in terms of sprinting and exposes his body to less lung-busting runs.
Cons: If Mainoo is the first receiver, the problem immediately becomes the second who has little capacity to act as a conduit in their own right and either control the ball so those behind it can begin their overlapping sequences, or progress it optimally. We have a massive void at actual CM if Mainoo doesn't play there.
Another con at DM is Mainoo can be bullied by grown men; isolate, trap and run him down and the gauntlet he has to play through carries a larger element of risk than if he were a robust and matured athlete. Newcastle away gave a clear blueprint on how to really tax him at #6.
Overall, still clearly his best position at the moment, affording more time and touches on the ball and ability to dictate the game on his own terms and rhythm.
CM/box-to-box - his preordained position, imo, but one that is by far the most taxing physically and thus the one that exposes his youth the most in terms of physical capability and especially his engine/stamina. With him as secondary receiver, he/we are reliant on someone else at DM actually getting the ball up to him. This is a massive issue that comprises the whole team as we have nobody who can do so accurately, succinctly and consistently; if Mainoo's not playing the role. This means the CM has to drop deeper to help out, thus compromising their own legs and making their own dedicated job more physically taxing. In CM, once the ball gets to feet, a web of passing intricacies is supposed to be weaved... in our case, the CM is instructed to bomb on and neglect accepted positional duties, namely being there... so we're seeing him have a lot less of the ball and touches in proper CM zones, which, funnily enough, are the centre of midfield...
The way we use the CM, it becomes a peripheral role rather than a pivotal one. The difference in how he played it for England and what happens with us is night and day, but still, he's by far our best conduit, to the point it's a concern, as it's him or nothing, nothing constructive anyway.
Cons: stamina, engine, physical demands of the role in our set up (making so many key sprints of that distance should happen in 90min not a half), having nobody in midfield to link up with cohesively. CM is a very lonely and isolated position with what we do - a link man can't do his job with so few opportunities and options. This is the buzzy bee, annoying as feck to pick up role for the opposition, but it is not expressed as so here and see Mainoo looking like an island more often than not; sporadically involved but not as much as a CM should be as this is where data points should be through the roof, but his actual ability to affect the game is marginalised with what we do.
AM/higher up the pitch: Mainoo is showing too much in the final third to deny he could become a fixture in the role if a manager took a fancy to him there. He exhibits the qualities you look for in an AM when push comes to shove. Unlike natural AM's he is not overflowing with expression or expression at the cost of all else - he doesn't have the tunnel vision to state he is a perma-maestro who simply must affect the play with his every action, but what he consistently shows is the composure, vision and execution to not only play one and two touch with ease in the final third, but exactly when to pull the trigger on the decisive action.
A measure of good AM play is how often the player gets to execute what they want completely uncontested. In the kerfuffle, only the final action is really processed in the moment, but upon replay all the trickery and nuance to how that last action came about is revealed, and this is where the inner workings of the mind of an AM tend to be revealed. Cunning actions and movements stacked on other cunning actions combined with deft, often sublime technique shows itself and also gives a snapshot of just what is being dealt with.
Mainoo's final action tends to be the rubberstamp on the build up he has knitted together; it is rarely a sole pass or shot, rather an intricate matrix of layered actions that build to a crescendo. What stands out is said final action is clean and uncontested, the disguise or suddenness of it leaving others for dead. It's a mind backed by the technique to execute, or vice-versa, which makes for the foundation of rock-solid attacking midfield play.
The obvious problem with AM play is that others have to get the ball up the pitch in good order for them to smoothly pick up the baton and do their thing. They are reliant on the chain behind them and mightn't see the ball for larger periods of time unless they drop deeper (and out of position) to share the load. In Mainoo's case, it'd look like a player who we know can do so much to aid the build up doing 'nothing' as he waits and waits and waits for his moments to come alive.
In this team, I would have full belief Mainoo could consistently affect games from that position, but from a purist's POV, him being in a position where he almost certainly won't see the ball frequently is a quandary; most AM's are accepted for what they are and aren't really expected to do anything but the basics of CM play, so long as their productivity in their own position remains high, they get a pass and praise for even helping their CM's and DM's; I don't think CM's who go on to be AM's are afforded this privilege. They are expected to remain good to very good as CM's whilst performing their actual duties in their designated position. Someone like Bellingham, for example, will not be given the same pass for being less than in CM compared to an Ødegaard, and I think the same would be said of Kobbie, where him being just an AM would be OK for most fans who associate him with the deeper positions.
DM/Deep - Guarantees collection off backline and transition from 1st phase (receipt) to 2nd phase (progression) for the team. Positionally sound and aware of passing lanes for easy interceptions and rapid recycling of the ball. Can play out more of the game from this position because it asks for a lot less in terms of sprinting and exposes his body to less lung-busting runs.
Cons: If Mainoo is the first receiver, the problem immediately becomes the second who has little capacity to act as a conduit in their own right and either control the ball so those behind it can begin their overlapping sequences, or progress it optimally. We have a massive void at actual CM if Mainoo doesn't play there.
Another con at DM is Mainoo can be bullied by grown men; isolate, trap and run him down and the gauntlet he has to play through carries a larger element of risk than if he were a robust and matured athlete. Newcastle away gave a clear blueprint on how to really tax him at #6.
Overall, still clearly his best position at the moment, affording more time and touches on the ball and ability to dictate the game on his own terms and rhythm.
CM/box-to-box - his preordained position, imo, but one that is by far the most taxing physically and thus the one that exposes his youth the most in terms of physical capability and especially his engine/stamina. With him as secondary receiver, he/we are reliant on someone else at DM actually getting the ball up to him. This is a massive issue that comprises the whole team as we have nobody who can do so accurately, succinctly and consistently; if Mainoo's not playing the role. This means the CM has to drop deeper to help out, thus compromising their own legs and making their own dedicated job more physically taxing. In CM, once the ball gets to feet, a web of passing intricacies is supposed to be weaved... in our case, the CM is instructed to bomb on and neglect accepted positional duties, namely being there... so we're seeing him have a lot less of the ball and touches in proper CM zones, which, funnily enough, are the centre of midfield...
The way we use the CM, it becomes a peripheral role rather than a pivotal one. The difference in how he played it for England and what happens with us is night and day, but still, he's by far our best conduit, to the point it's a concern, as it's him or nothing, nothing constructive anyway.
Cons: stamina, engine, physical demands of the role in our set up (making so many key sprints of that distance should happen in 90min not a half), having nobody in midfield to link up with cohesively. CM is a very lonely and isolated position with what we do - a link man can't do his job with so few opportunities and options. This is the buzzy bee, annoying as feck to pick up role for the opposition, but it is not expressed as so here and see Mainoo looking like an island more often than not; sporadically involved but not as much as a CM should be as this is where data points should be through the roof, but his actual ability to affect the game is marginalised with what we do.
AM/higher up the pitch: Mainoo is showing too much in the final third to deny he could become a fixture in the role if a manager took a fancy to him there. He exhibits the qualities you look for in an AM when push comes to shove. Unlike natural AM's he is not overflowing with expression or expression at the cost of all else - he doesn't have the tunnel vision to state he is a perma-maestro who simply must affect the play with his every action, but what he consistently shows is the composure, vision and execution to not only play one and two touch with ease in the final third, but exactly when to pull the trigger on the decisive action.
A measure of good AM play is how often the player gets to execute what they want completely uncontested. In the kerfuffle, only the final action is really processed in the moment, but upon replay all the trickery and nuance to how that last action came about is revealed, and this is where the inner workings of the mind of an AM tend to be revealed. Cunning actions and movements stacked on other cunning actions combined with deft, often sublime technique shows itself and also gives a snapshot of just what is being dealt with.
Mainoo's final action tends to be the rubberstamp on the build up he has knitted together; it is rarely a sole pass or shot, rather an intricate matrix of layered actions that build to a crescendo. What stands out is said final action is clean and uncontested, the disguise or suddenness of it leaving others for dead. It's a mind backed by the technique to execute, or vice-versa, which makes for the foundation of rock-solid attacking midfield play.
The obvious problem with AM play is that others have to get the ball up the pitch in good order for them to smoothly pick up the baton and do their thing. They are reliant on the chain behind them and mightn't see the ball for larger periods of time unless they drop deeper (and out of position) to share the load. In Mainoo's case, it'd look like a player who we know can do so much to aid the build up doing 'nothing' as he waits and waits and waits for his moments to come alive.
In this team, I would have full belief Mainoo could consistently affect games from that position, but from a purist's POV, him being in a position where he almost certainly won't see the ball frequently is a quandary; most AM's are accepted for what they are and aren't really expected to do anything but the basics of CM play, so long as their productivity in their own position remains high, they get a pass and praise for even helping their CM's and DM's; I don't think CM's who go on to be AM's are afforded this privilege. They are expected to remain good to very good as CM's whilst performing their actual duties in their designated position. Someone like Bellingham, for example, will not be given the same pass for being less than in CM compared to an Ødegaard, and I think the same would be said of Kobbie, where him being just an AM would be OK for most fans who associate him with the deeper positions.
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Great point.
Mainoo's goal against Wolves is probably 'better' for me.
Kobbie only has 20 games so far. Less than half of those guys. And by the end of season, probably similar to Ronaldo that probably play until his 40.
His tally for the season will conclude at the Euros. The intensity of those minutes is also an important factor.
I can almost guaranteed that he’ll be peripheral on this incoming Euro
If you have someone as good as Mainoo on the ball, you'd want him to have the ball as much as possible, ie: play him in a possession based system
Guys just imagine we didn't have him. He makes such a difference at his age.
Exactly.. it's waistcoat after all. Henderson's experience is better than Mainoo's instinctive play
I think DM will end up being his main role because of how excellent he is as the first receiver against the press, the qualities he displays in the role on the ball are almost impossible to coach a less talented player. You can also note how good he is at defending cutbacks, defensive headers etc so even if he isn't physically dominant to be a Keanesque enforcer he has other defensive skills that come naturally to him.
I think to stabilize the midfield we need a Kante like defensive player, who plays box to box but can cover ground quickly to win balls in midfield, Mainoo then takes up the role of midfield sweeper like Carrick was to Fletcher. I think Onana can play the role perfectly.
On his part he has to get a trainer, over the summer, to accelerate his physical development particularly his intensity and stamina.
Funnily enough, I think Fred could have been a great partner for him.
IMO, his best position will be as an 8.
If you want a top end inspirational comparison, its Iniesta...that kind of magic footed player who can wiggle out of trouble anywhere on the pitch, hold the ball under pressure, and then help unlock defenses in the narrowest of spaces in the final third.
Beyond his slight physical stature, he really hasn't shown the range and consistency of passing to be a metronomic player or deep lying playmaker at the base of midfield.
Why post this?
Nah I think Thiago is the better comparison. And he's not "slight" at all he's powerful as feck in his lower half, it's why he shrugs off so many challenges while carrying the ball.
Colvale Goan humour. Delhi ncr pollution has polluted ours.
Talking of kids.
Manchester United have given nearly three times the amount of minutes (3,637) to teenagers in the Premier League this season than the rest of the Top 6 combined (1,245): MAN UTD (3,637) Man City (698) Aston Villa (360)
Liverpool (117) 
Spurs (56) 
Arsenal (14)
Manchester United have given nearly three times the amount of minutes (3,637) to teenagers in the Premier League this season than the rest of the Top 6 combined (1,245): MAN UTD (3,637) Man City (698) Aston Villa (360)
Liverpool (117) Spurs (56) Arsenal (14)Amazing stat that.Talking of kids.
Manchester United have given nearly three times the amount of minutes (3,637) to teenagers in the Premier League this season than the rest of the Top 6 combined (1,245): MAN UTD (3,637) Man City (698) Aston Villa (360)
You should be paid for this sort of breakdown
His performances have kind of tapered off as the season has gone on haven't they, or am imagining it?
That's not to knock him by the way, its not his fault. It just suggests he could be managed better.
That's not to knock him by the way, its not his fault. It just suggests he could be managed better.
I don't think so personally. He's getting more disciplined as he plays and more capable of competing physically. You're just not as impressed by the same passing, dribbling etc. any more as you're more used to it and so are his opponents. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure he can still use a little break as he often seems to run out of steam towards the end of the games but I think he's still steadily improving.
I also noticed his drop in ball composure since England call. Hope it was just short time burnt out and he will get back to form soon.
For 18-19 years old we can't expect him to perform consistently in such large number of matches that he had to play. However if he is to be called up in Euro I think ETH does need to push him to play the remaining matches this season. Otherwise, him not playing in Euro would actually be better in the long run for his long term development
I think he's getting less time on the ball because the opponents are more wary of him, maybe contributing to the perceived lack of composure?
I think he does get burnt out and it get reflected on the pitch too.
In the past SAF always limited playtime of under 21 players, regardless of how talented they are. I think ETH know that should be the right thing too but because he is under a lot of pressure of getting sacked hence he needs to play the best midfield that he has available and that is Case-Mainoo-Bruno. Mount will be switched around with Rashford and Ganarcho I think.
He probably starts for City
Thanks for kind words, but lucky scout already got the gig.
That was a very well written post.Thanks for kind words, but lucky scout already got the gig.
Most have been complaining because he played "too much" this season, even though he's yet a regular starter.
How would he become a starter for City?
Because City didn't adequately replace Gündogan. Mainoo can replicate what the German's role was for City, unlike Kovacic and Nunes. That's also why Pep wanted Bellingham.
He probably wouldn't play 60 games a season for them at 18/19 years of age, but I'd say he would be in their strongest XI as a left-sided #8, next to Rodri and KDB in midfield.
You are not wrong but I think it's more to do with the fact that he has been taken off his comfort zone, the deep lying center and is being played as a high 8 where he needs to be more attacking and taking more risk because Casemiro is playing as the 6. If we played a 4-2-3-1 and he was starting moves from deep he would be in his element more.
I saw this previously and intended to reply... and then forgot, d'oh.
I think the issue here is, right now, DM is the role we've seen him be able to display the most tenets for by way of debuting there and being given it as a clear and defined role, so there's a transparency to what he's capable of there.
CM, we've seen him have good, OK and "lacking" games, in but also have his job brief most manipulated in. Sadly, it took for him to go and play with England amongst considerably better midfielders for us to see what he's about and what he could offer the team in a functional midfield. There was no stupid, manic scrambles or looking unsure of what he should be doing or where he should be going and a defined purpose to his deployment; he slotted into it seamlessly and we saw his tank better utilised also because he could mostly pick and choose when to sprint and when to jog, as opposed to our midfield where discombobulation is assured as the chaos ensues and we start running up and down the pitch like Benny Hill characters. It makes a huge difference to assessment and perception - he looks a lot more flustered in our CM than he otherwise would do. Our CM also actually works against him in exposing his engine, at a time when we should be playing in a way that conserves it.
I can understand there would currently be more doubts about him at CM than at DM as it stands to reason he looks more vulnerable there... with us.
I would wager you would be more receptive to him at AM if all his DM minutes had been utilised in that position - he'd look just as adept and composed and like a natural. Some belief this will even be his settled position. Perception of him as an AM is likely to be reduced right now because, relative to the other positions, we've seen him as a final third feature for a literal fraction of the time, and for us, Bruno would have to be off the pitch for Mainoo to show exactly what he can do in the role as the chieftain.
His fitness will come along organically, imo. You can't really force it; a boy is still a boy no matter how fit; relative to a fit man, there's a big gap that won't be bridged until 'adult strength' and power is acquired. You can see this in athletics in particular where boys have markedly different times to men, same for physical tussles - we're just going to have to wait for nature to do its thing.
Rule 1 of LuckyScout, never reply.Thanks for kind words, but lucky scout already got the gig.
Yes, but does Ten Hag embrace them the same way Klopp does?Talking of kids.
Manchester United have given nearly three times the amount of minutes (3,637) to teenagers in the Premier League this season than the rest of the Top 6 combined (1,245): MAN UTD (3,637) Man City (698) Aston Villa (360)
People cite things like this as a reason to hold young players back but I don’t really get it. Would it somehow make it much better if a player debuts at 21 and retires at 36 as opposed to 16 and is finished by 30? Rooney was finished at the very top at 30, but he was also at the top at 16/18. The mileage is the same.
I think the physical aspect of Rooney and Mainoo are quite different. Rooney at 17-18 looked already like a 95% grown-up whereas Mainoo looks like a skinny young boy probably still growing for a few more years. I would imagine Mainoo at 23 will look different than now, probably a little taller and bigger, whereas Rooney at 18 was almost the same 5 years later.
Mainoo does not look like a skinny boy. He has quite literally grown in front of our eyes this season — he’s about 3 inches taller than he was in preseason!
The only game I can recall where someone has really dominated him in a physical sense this season was Newcastle away with Joelinton (who is an XL bully in human form) and Guimaraes (Fernandinho gene — only every 8th hack is a foul).
The only game I can recall where someone has really dominated him in a physical sense this season was Newcastle away with Joelinton (who is an XL bully in human form) and Guimaraes (Fernandinho gene — only every 8th hack is a foul).
It's not about debuting. It's about not overplaying them at a time that their body is still developing.
Over the last five or six years it feels like Barca have had a whole bunch of 'wonderkids' that they bought straight into their starting 11 and played them constantly, only for them all to break down after a couple of years and never be the same again. Pedri is the most obvious example, where he played a ridiculous amount of minutes a few years ago and he's now spent the last three years on the injury table more than he's on the field. A player that looked like he might be the best midfielder of his generation and who knows if he'll ever recover.
Somebody mentioned Ronaldo, but despite missing the first four months of the season Mainoo is on track to play more minutes than Ronaldo did in his first season with us at the same age.
Mainoo doesn’t look like a skinny young boy at all. Personally, I don’t see that anyone would watch him and think no way he could be 21/22. He’s not Shea Lacey, for example.
Well then there are different arguments at play. The idea that a player who starts very young is past his peak is not a reason to hold him back. The avoidance of injuries is of course very valid I appreciate.