[Brand Nubian]

Surely that speaks volumes about his mentality then, no? He had the perfect platform to show why he should be starting in the final and he dropped a stinker of a performance. No doubt he's a class player on the ball but this team is literally are worse team ever, or there about and Mainoo can't lock down a position be it as a 10 or in midfield and that's on him.

Agree that even these dead rubbers should be big enough motivation to try hard and win back that starting spot (and not only for the EL final). Also theres tens of thousand fans still paying their hard earned cash also for these "nothing" games so uninterested performances are a bit of a disgrace.

Just saying that, if my assumption of Mainoo losing trust in managers metods is correct - and the body language of them engaging lately might point to some degree of friction - then I can understand young lad going through the motions, not putting his neck on the line for Ruben. I dont excuse it but can understand it. Especially after having an excellent emerging season while this one is almost a complete disaster on both individual and team level.

 

[dpansheth]

Surely that speaks volumes about his mentality then, no? He had the perfect platform to show why he should be starting in the final and he dropped a stinker of a performance. No doubt he's a class player on the ball but this team is literally are worse team ever, or there about and Mainoo can't lock down a position be it as a 10 or in midfield and that's on him.

Something that has bogged us down, not just talent but mentality as well.

 

[jem]

Almost looks like as if he has lost confidence and belief in a manager who has no clue how to use him. Or rather doesnt have a proper role for Kobbie in this nonsensical formation.

Add to that a disaster of a league campaign being long done and its no surprise he isnt going to bust the gut to help the team finish 14th instead of 17th. He has already shown a lot of promise and while still huge improvement needed to shine in United kit Im afraid the chances of that happening under Rubens coaching are really slim.

Hard to say whether he is or isn't putting in his max effort, but if it happens that he isn't, then he should be jettisoned right away.

 

[Frank White]

Agree that even these dead rubbers should be big enough motivation to try hard and win back that starting spot (and not only for the EL final). Also theres tens of thousand fans still paying their hard earned cash also for these "nothing" games so uninterested performances are a bit of a disgrace.

Just saying that, if my assumption of Mainoo losing trust in managers metods is correct - and the body language of them engaging lately might point to some degree of friction - then I can understand young lad going through the motions, not putting his neck on the line for Ruben. I dont excuse it but can understand it. Especially after having an excellent emerging season while this one is almost a complete disaster on both individual and team level.

I'd like to think he's just not fully fit yet rather than deal with that scenario. Guess we'll see what happens but this year has been rough and he's going to need to step up, especially if he's trying to get a improved contract.

 

[Hammondo]

Agree that even these dead rubbers should be big enough motivation to try hard and win back that starting spot (and not only for the EL final). Also theres tens of thousand fans still paying their hard earned cash also for these "nothing" games so uninterested performances are a bit of a disgrace.

Just saying that, if my assumption of Mainoo losing trust in managers metods is correct - and the body language of them engaging lately might point to some degree of friction - then I can understand young lad going through the motions, not putting his neck on the line for Ruben. I dont excuse it but can understand it. Especially after having an excellent emerging season while this one is almost a complete disaster on both individual and team level.

If that's the case he should be benched.

 

[Withnail]

If that's the case he should be benched.

That's just it. If it was, he would have been dropped just like Rashford.

When he's fit Amorim plays him so it's just a figment of their imagination.

 

[Valencia Shin Crosses]

I'm worried about him. He needs to seriously improve and do so quickly, otherwise I'd be happy to listen to offers for him while his stock is high.

He simply doesn't bring enough to an XI right now in midfield, especially if he's going to be so off the pace physically/athletically. Maybe he'd be fine in a slower paced league where he doesn't have to run as much, but it's not the reality here. He either needs to do serious work on his physical shape, or he needs to improve his passing drastically to be able to offer more progression and creativity. Right now he's sort of just a human backboard that doesn't impact the game if it's not him showing quick feet under pressure in the final third. We can't afford to keep holding players who don't impact a game in some way, especially midfielders.

 

[Dan_F]

I'm worried about him. He needs to seriously improve and do so quickly, otherwise I'd be happy to listen to offers for him while his stock is high.

He simply doesn't bring enough to an XI right now in midfield, especially if he's going to be so off the pace physically/athletically. Maybe he'd be fine in a slower paced league where he doesn't have to run as much, but it's not the reality here. He either needs to do serious work on his physical shape, or he needs to improve his passing drastically to be able to offer more progression and creativity. Right now he's sort of just a human backboard that doesn't impact the game if it's not him showing quick feet under pressure in the final third. We can't afford to keep holding players who don't impact a game in some way, especially midfielders.

If we’re going to sell a 19/20 year old every time they have a second season dip, we’re likely to sell every youth product that we ever get through the academy. The expectations placed on kids coming into a dysfunctional team are wild.

For reference, Yoro has struggled at times and is touted to be one of the best young defensive prospects in the world.

 

[Frank White]

That's just it. If it was, he would have been dropped just like Rashford.

When he's fit Amorim plays him so it's just a figment of their imagination.

True but the manager has also just come out and lambasted the same players he's picked for basically picking and choosing when they turn up and that critique could well be levelled at Mainoo going off that performance against West Ham.

Now I don't believe it and don't want to believe it because i genuinely like Mainoo and think he has a promising career ahead of him but if his shirt said Rashford instead of Mainoo yesterday people would be throwing around accusations left, right and centre about downing tools and what not. We was playing a piss poor West Ham team and he barely broke a sweat.

 

[simonhch]

Young player having a breakthrough season is heralded as the new saviour - Check
Same player is elevated to best in class status during his teen years - Check
Player suffers a dip in form/difficult second season amid unrealistic and preposterous expectations - Check
Player is written off by large section of fanbase as "shit" and "never will be good enough" - Check
Same fans focus relentlessly on his areas of weakness - Check
Inevitable contract speculation leading to further vitriol towards player - Check
Becomes scapegoat for everything under-performance related - Check
Gets put up for fantasy sale by large sections of the "fanbase" - Check
Fans pointing out the player is barely out of his teens and needs patience are shouted down - Check
Idle speculation of an attitude problem, without foundation, run amok (Lazy bastard syndrome) - Check

Glad to see we are following the usual formula for assessing and supporting our young players. All that's left is for the speculation on the superior young talent we are going to replace him with (either from the academy or elsewhere), and the first full phase of the cycle will be complete.

For what it's worth, this is still the same young player that took the PL and Euros by storm last season, and was lauded as the answer to United's and England's midfield by many. A generational talent some called him. First name on the team sheet for the next decade they said. Same player. It's almost as if he is a human being and only just turned 20. fecking mental this selfish, lazy bastard isn't world class by now and putting in headline stopping performances week in, week out to single handedly drag this struggling team out of the lower half of the table. We'll never get anywhere if we are going to let losers like this into the team. fecker has nearly 18 months of first team football under his belt already. How much time does he need?

Just wait though, there'll be some smart arse wanker along in a minute to tell us that he has enormous potential and needs time, patience and the proper foundation to develop into the hardest position on the pitch to play. They'll want him playing in a stable, good team, with experienced team mates next, or pointing out how players like Modric or Zidane didn't even make moves to big clubs in top leagues until they were four years older than Kobbie is now. Pfft. Football's different now though, innit? If you aren't fecking world class by the time you leave your teens, you never will be. feck him right off I would. Chris Rigg is only 17 and already miles better than Mainoo. His one season in the Championship shows he's already ready to be the lynchpin of our midfield for the next decade. Failing that, 70-80m should get a deal done for Adam Wharton who everyone can see has everything Kobbie doesn't. Just watch Youtube and see that he's basically a next-gen Carrick, but better.

 

[Based Adnan]

If we’re going to sell a 19/20 year old every time they have a second season dip, we’re likely to sell every youth product that we ever get through the academy. The expectations placed on kids coming into a dysfunctional team are wild.

For reference, Yoro has struggled at times and is touted to be one of the best young defensive prospects in the world.

It's not just a second season dip though.

There's question marks over his overall skill set, ability to fit into the system as well as the issue of struggling to agree a new deal. All of this on top of his dip this season.

 

[Frank White]

Young player having a breakthrough season is heralded as the new saviour - Check
Same player is elevated to best in class status during his teen years - Check
Player suffers a dip in form/difficult second season amid unrealistic and preposterous expectations - Check
Player is written off by large section of fanbase as "shit" and "never will be good enough" - Check
Same fans focus relentlessly on his areas of weakness - Check
Inevitable contract speculation leading to further vitriol towards player - Check
Becomes scapegoat for everything under-performance related - Check
Gets put up for fantasy sale by large sections of the "fanbase" - Check
Fans pointing out the player is barely out of his teens and needs patience are shouted down - Check
Idle speculation of an attitude problem, without foundation, run amok (Lazy bastard syndrome) - Check

Glad to see we are following the usual formula for assessing and supporting our young players. All that's left is for the speculation on the superior young talent we are going to replace him with (either from the academy or elsewhere), and the first full phase of the cycle will be complete.

For what it's worth, this is still the same young player that took the PL and Euros by storm last season, and was lauded as the answer to United's and England's midfield by many. A generational talent some called him. First name on the team sheet for the next decade they said. Same player. It's almost as if he is a human being and only just turned 20. fecking mental this selfish, lazy bastard isn't world class by now and putting in headline stopping performances week in, week out to single handedly drag this struggling team out of the lower half of the table. We'll never get anywhere if we are going to let losers like this into the team. fecker has nearly 18 months of first team football under his belt already. How much time does he need?

Just wait though, there'll be some smart arse wanker along in a minute to tell us that he has enormous potential and needs time, patience and the proper foundation to develop into the hardest position on the pitch to play. They'll want him playing in a stable, good team, with experienced team mates next, or pointing out how players like Modric or Zidane didn't even make moves to big clubs in top leagues until they were four years older than Kobbie is now. Pfft. Football's different now though, innit? If you aren't fecking world class by the time you leave your teens, you never will be. feck him right off I would. Chris Rigg is only 17 and already miles better than Mainoo. His one season in the Championship shows he's already ready to be the lynchpin of our midfield for the next decade. Failing that, 70-80m should get a deal done for Adam Wharton who everyone can see has everything Kobbie doesn't. Just watch Youtube and see that he's basically a next-gen Carrick, but better.

In and out, in and out. You'll be alright.

 

[LukeTheRed]

with him being young I fully understand dips in form will happen and I accept that.

However, to me he looks like he is putting zero effort in at times which is unacceptable.

 

[lex talionis]

It is a second season dip, or as we Americans call it, a "sophomore slump". It happens like clockwork to almost every professional athlete who has an outrageous breakout season in their first season. It's not just a physical thing -- it's also a mental thing. The international attention one receives after living in obscurity his entire life is something most of us cannot imagine dealing with.

Anyone who moans about Kobbie Mainoo needs to get a grip. Sure, maybe he will never be the next Scholes or De Bryune, but we are all witness to a great midfielder in the making.

 

[Footyislife]

Sell him while his value is high. It's best for us and the lad so he can develop under a stable environment in a team where he has a clear fit.

We need some steel in midfield not a flashy young inconsistent player who's role at best is a super sub when we are chasing games. This is why we have been losing in EPL while doing good in Europe. EPL is the most physical league in the game.

From a potential standpoint he's not at the level of Garnacho, Amad, Yoro, Dorgu, Leon, Obi, Ayeden. You see those players and you know they can compete physically at a young age and just need to develop mentally and technically. Meanwhile Mainoo is hyped above those players but he's physically not there even at 20. He's a slow midfielder, with limited stamina, and isn't physically strong for a EPL midfielder. He would work great in a another slower league, which is why it's a good thing for both club and player.

Also after the injury and the contract stuff he's been pretty tame which I can't tell if it means he just doesn't care or is just trying to not get injured so he can continue his physical development off season.

 

[Hammondo]

That's just it. If it was, he would have been dropped just like Rashford.

When he's fit Amorim plays him so it's just a figment of their imagination.

He isn't starting the European games, case and ugarte are ahead, and probably Bruno.

 

[Withnail]

He isn't starting the European games, case and ugarte are ahead, and probably Bruno.

I'm not sure how that's totally relevant to whether or not we believe your man's conspiracy theories

 

[King29]

Genuine question as I cant recall - with regards to promising young players that plataeu, when in the last 20 odd years has the club sold such a player and regretted it?

 

[Mr Smith]

If we’re going to sell a 19/20 year old every time they have a second season dip, we’re likely to sell every youth product that we ever get through the academy. The expectations placed on kids coming into a dysfunctional team are wild.

For reference, Yoro has struggled at times and is touted to be one of the best young defensive prospects in the world.

This. Give the kid a break FFS.

 

[Rasmus_9]

Watching back highlights of Mainoo playing as a 6 in the Euros and doing really well makes me question Amorim playing him further forward. Seems exactly what we need someone composed and able to progress the ball with a pass or dribble. Seems it’s the lack of physicality that Amorim doesn’t appreciate - I wonder if Kobbie can ever develop that to a sufficient level for the Premier League?

 

[Dan_F]

It's not just a second season dip though.

There's question marks over his overall skill set, ability to fit into the system as well as the issue of struggling to agree a new deal. All of this on top of his dip this season.

Exactly, questions over his skill set and fitting into the system are happening now because his form isn’t where it was last year. How about we give the kid a chance to adapt to a formation he’s never played before.

There’s been a clamour to get rid of the ‘deadwood’ for years, I’m a bit surprised that this has now reached kids playing in their second season from the academy. It’s kinda wild to see the fan base change as we’ve become shitter.

 

[Gordon'sHill]

Exactly, questions over his skill set and fitting into the system are happening now because his form isn’t where it was last year. How about we give the kid a chance to adapt to a formation he’s never played before.

There’s been a clamour to get rid of the ‘deadwood’ for years, I’m a bit surprised that this has now reached kids playing in their second season from the academy. It’s kinda wild to see the fan base change as we’ve become shitter.

The hate for our young players is insane. He's been injured and the club is a mess. Who other than Bruno and Diallo has looked good under Amorim? The teams a mess, the systems a mess, Ugarte looked like an OAP vs West Ham, and we're desperate to get rid of Mainoo, who played well for England in a major tournament not long ago. Madness

 

[Perfidious Albion]

Watching back highlights of Mainoo playing as a 6 in the Euros and doing really well makes me question Amorim playing him further forward. Seems exactly what we need someone composed and able to progress the ball with a pass or dribble. Seems it’s the lack of physicality that Amorim doesn’t appreciate - I wonder if Kobbie can ever develop that to a sufficient level for the Premier League?

I've thought this too, to be honest. His 'gassiness' makes '8' a tricky position for him. In the EPL, you'll just get swamped and bullied with him as part of a midfield two. He can play '10' but he has tended to be anonymous when played there and who does he get in ahead of as a '10'? Fernandes? Nope. Amad? No. Mount and Garnacho? Not for me. Zirkzee? Maybe, but not certain. Add a new signing like Cunha and it just adds another layer of competition.

He's a fascinating case, atypical of the player that we normally produce in England, so he's difficult to pigeonhole. I suspect that he might prove an enigma throughout his career.

His downturn in form was possible to see coming, however. Players often struggle in their second season and he hasn't really had a proper pre-season for a couple of years. Ideally, he'd have been resting instead of playing in the Euros last summer, however well he performed. So he can definitely come to the fore again.

Rather than rushing to sell him, I feel you'd be better using him sparingly next season, largely off the bench. Work on his fitness and try to find a home for him in Amorim's system. Whether the player accepts that scenario is another question now that he has had a taste of the big time

Sure, he might not fit Amorim's system, but managers come and go. My main concern would be whether the EPL is his natural home. Perhaps the player himself is aware of this - there were reports of him learning Spanish.

 

[Drainy]

That Uncle Mainoo post might be my favourite on the site.

Giggs, Ravel and Greenwood

Brilliant humour

 

[Hammondo]

I'm not sure how that's totally relevant to whether or not we believe your man's conspiracy theories

Case has been starting ahead of him for the important games, I am not sure how that is a conspiracy.

 

[Insanity]

Genuine question as I cant recall - with regards to promising young players that plataeu, when in the last 20 odd years has the club sold such a player and regretted it?

It's not a plateau yet, is it? This has been an injury plagued second season.

I am not a 100% sold on him as I think he needs to improve on his passing many folds if he is to become a top player. However, saying he has plateaued is very harsh.

 

[Dan_F]

Genuine question as I cant recall - with regards to promising young players that plataeu, when in the last 20 odd years has the club sold such a player and regretted it?

The more relevant question you should probably ask yourself is when has this club ever sold its brightest talents at 20 years old. You can’t regret something you don’t do.

Maybe we should just sell him and spend double on another Ugarte. It appeases the fans for month.

 

[AjaxCunian]

Still think Amorim can succeed here, but his 3421 system does a lot more harm than good in my opinion. The main real negative for me, you immediately don't get the best out of Amad, Mainoo, Garnacho/Rashford, which is a pity for me.

 

[Withnail]

Case has been starting ahead of him for the important games, I am not sure how that is a conspiracy.

I'm referring to the bolded below, for which I thought you were saying he should have been benched.

Agree that even these dead rubbers should be big enough motivation to try hard and win back that starting spot (and not only for the EL final). Also theres tens of thousand fans still paying their hard earned cash also for these "nothing" games so uninterested performances are a bit of a disgrace.

Just saying that, if my assumption of Mainoo losing trust in managers metods is correct - and the body language of them engaging lately might point to some degree of friction - then I can understand young lad going through the motions, not putting his neck on the line for Ruben. I dont excuse it but can understand it. Especially after having an excellent emerging season while this one is almost a complete disaster on both individual and team level.

 

[SparkedIntoLife]

I love Kobbie but the accusation that he can zone out of games and lacks physicality is not a new, reactive one. This was noted as his biggest weakness in the academy. I witnessed it in the few games I'd seen of him before his senior debut but several people who watch more academy football than I confirmed it. It's not to say that it's an attitude thing or anything. By all accounts, he's a good pro and a laid back, decent lad. But he is too nice, very little urgency etc.

His biggest strengths have always been his technical quality, ability in tight spaces and he generally reads the game well. He is calm and is great in a functioning team where he can knit the play together but not in this team at this time. He's not an Amorim number 10. He definitely doesn't fit the profile of an Amorim number 8 either but I feel he could do if he dramatically increased his physicality and work rate. It may well be that the best decision is to accept that it's too much of a jump and sell him while he has value. This would be a massive shame though, in my view. I do believe he'll go on to be an excellent midfielder, probably in Spain, Italy or Germany where it isn't so uber imperative to be a physical beast.

 

[Xeque_279]

From a potential standpoint he's not at the level of Garnacho, Amad, Yoro, Dorgu, Leon, Obi, Ayeden. You see those players and you know they can compete physically at a young age and just need to develop mentally and technically. Meanwhile Mainoo is hyped above those players but he's physically not there even at 20. He's a slow midfielder, with limited stamina, and isn't physically strong for a EPL midfielder. He would work great in a another slower league, which is why it's a good thing for both club and player.

Don't agree with this at all. We saw him last season with United and England, at times he was carrying the midfield all on his own, matching physically with guys a lot "bigger" than him, not only using strength but skill together. He's definitely had a slump this season and looks out of place, but that can be said of so many.

Still so young and has a long time to reach his peak. Ideally both him and Garna should be getting sub appearances and a few starts here and there, let them learn from more established guys ahead of them.

 

[Valencia Shin Crosses]

If we’re going to sell a 19/20 year old every time they have a second season dip, we’re likely to sell every youth product that we ever get through the academy. The expectations placed on kids coming into a dysfunctional team are wild.

For reference, Yoro has struggled at times and is touted to be one of the best young defensive prospects in the world.

This isn't about having a second season dip though, it's about taking a step back and figuring out what attributes Mainoo has to really take the next step forward as a player. Yoro is a terrible comparison because the entire reason we bought him is that he has every attribute to be a potential great: Pace, ability on the ball, athleticism, good in the air, reads the game, good frame etc. Compare that to Mainoo, who clearly has physical deficiencies already and hasn't really managed to develop the passing side of his game that he needs to in order to take the next step.

I'm not saying we need to sell him, I'm saying we need to be monitoring his development and be WILLING to sell him if it simply doesn't look like he's going to improve on those spots in his game. I love watching Mainoo as a footballer and think he has some rare skills, but I also have real concerns about where he fits into any modern midfield with what he offers right now.

 

[Smores]

It's quite simple he isn't productive, he has 1 assist and 3 goals in his two league seasons. You can't demand first team football by being just neat and tidy.

I disagree with most I think he's fine as one of the midfielders he's certainly strong enough and he can get stuck in. It's his inability to make passes where the player isn't right next to him that is the real issue. If he can start to pass through the lines and improve his general progressive passing range then he'll be first choice.

 

[Dan_F]

This isn't about having a second season dip though, it's about taking a step back and figuring out what attributes Mainoo has to really take the next step forward as a player. Yoro is a terrible comparison because the entire reason we bought him is that he has every attribute to be a potential great: Pace, ability on the ball, athleticism, good in the air, reads the game, good frame etc. Compare that to Mainoo, who clearly has physical deficiencies already and hasn't really managed to develop the passing side of his game that he needs to in order to take the next step.

I'm not saying we need to sell him, I'm saying we need to be monitoring his development and be WILLING to sell him if it simply doesn't look like he's going to improve on those spots in his game. I love watching Mainoo as a footballer and think he has some rare skills, but I also have real concerns about where he fits into any modern midfield with what he offers right now.

Are you sure it’s a physical deficiency? Maybe you’ve got access to the data, but so far all we’ve seen is that no midfielder has been able to fulfil Amorim’s requirements. Ugarte’s main strength was supposed to be his ability to get up and down the pitch, yet he’s being taken off 60 minutes into games and seemingly can’t play back to back games either.

I made the Yoro comparison because despite those natural abilities, he’s still struggled and had difficult games. Feel free to make another comparison. Foden was managed very carefully by Pep over the first few years of his career, it didn’t mean he needed to be sold.

Mainoo was never going to suddenly develop his passing from deep in the space of a season. He played in the academy more advanced so you can’t just stick him as a midfielder and say in a year you need to be able to progress the ball from deep. That’s some fifa type shit, in the real world it takes time. Same as if we’re looking to build his stamina. He spent half the season out injured, and the other half we’ve had games every three days. How can he build stamina work into that schedule.

 

[It'sYanitedLads]

Almost looks like as if he has lost confidence and belief in a manager who has no clue how to use him. Or rather doesnt have a proper role for Kobbie in this nonsensical formation.

Add to that a disaster of a league campaign being long done and its no surprise he isnt going to bust the gut to help the team finish 14th instead of 17th. He has already shown a lot of promise and while still huge improvement needed to shine in United kit Im afraid the chances of that happening under Rubens coaching are really slim.

"Manager doesn't know how to use them" once you here this line you know that player is probably a nothing burger.

Can't count the amount of times I've heard this over the years for players who went on to do nothing under different managers and setups. Swear I heard the same thing about mainoo with ten hag as well.

Mainoo's issues aren't tactics related that's all I'll say on the matter. I wish they were then there'd at least be a justification for his mediocre performance.

 

[Valencia Shin Crosses]

Are you sure it’s a physical deficiency? Maybe you’ve got access to the data, but so far all we’ve seen is that no midfielder has been able to fulfil Amorim’s requirements. Ugarte’s main strength was supposed to be his ability to get up and down the pitch, yet he’s being taken off 60 minutes into games and seemingly can’t play back to back games either.

I made the Yoro comparison because despite those natural abilities, he’s still struggled and had difficult games. Feel free to make another comparison. Foden was managed very carefully by Pep over the first few years of his career, it didn’t mean he needed to be sold.

Mainoo was never going to suddenly develop his passing from deep in the space of a season. He played in the academy more advanced so you can’t just stick him as a midfielder and say in a year you need to be able to progress the ball from deep. That’s some fifa type shit, in the real world it takes time. Same as if we’re looking to build his stamina. He spent half the season out injured, and the other half we’ve had games every three days. How can he build stamina work into that schedule.

Ugarte gets taken off because he can't pass a ball forward with any competency. It's not because he's shattered physically. And plenty of midfielders have "fulfilled Amorim's requirements". It's not like he has us pulling those Ten Hag shifts of last season just sprinting back and forth the length of the pitch. You can find a number of successful midfielders in these 343 teams that do it well.

But yes watching Mainoo struggle to breathe in the 60th minute and be sprinted past relatively often makes me think he's lacking athletically.

 

[Dan_F]

Ugarte gets taken off because he can't pass a ball forward with any competency. It's not because he's shattered physically. And plenty of midfielders have "fulfilled Amorim's requirements". It's not like he has us pulling those Ten Hag shifts of last season just sprinting back and forth the length of the pitch. You can find a number of successful midfielders in these 343 teams that do it well.

But yes watching Mainoo struggle to breathe in the 60th minute and be sprinted past relatively often makes me think he's lacking athletically.

But Ugarte can’t pass a ball in minute one so why would Amorim start him if that was the reason for taking him off?

Getting gassed after an hour is the easiest possible thing to fix out of any skill required in football if that’s the case. I don’t think it’s that because again, I’ve watched all of our midfield get walked through time and time again under Amorim.

Not being able to progress the ball from deep is a far bigger issue long term. It’s why Amorim shifts Bruno there. It’s something he needs to work on, but it’ll take more than half a season.

 

[Mingus]

Maybe if we are able to play a higher defensive line next season there would be less ground for the midfielders to cover and he could play as a 6 again.
However, if the club decide that he's not going to be what we need, it's probably better we sell before we are saddled with big wages that will affect his future saleability.

 

[Brand Nubian]

"Manager doesn't know how to use them" once you here this line you know that player is probably a nothing burger.

Can't count the amount of times I've heard this over the years for players who went on to do nothing under different managers and setups. Swear I heard the same thing about mainoo with ten hag as well.

Mainoo's issues aren't tactics related that's all I'll say on the matter. I wish they were then there'd at least be a justification for his mediocre performance.

This is where we disagree on the "system" lark. Narrow 10s running away from centr-ish position away from goal, to the sideline as the only way to get on the ball. Followed by big centre back ready to pounce. You can do nothing in that situation.

Salah, Yamal and co. are running from the side towards the goal, the right way.. What a fecking difference.

This is definitely a system problem - or rather consequence of the "system" not working.

I will always be behind 3 at the back and wingbacks. But you have to reshuffle the pack in the middle. Triangle midfield and two up top.
Two sitters infront of defense, two narrow 10s and even a prime Benzema above them will never work. Especially in this league. Hope Ruben will adjust sooner later than later.

 

[arthurka]

Midfielder with limited passing range and a doubtful engine is a great pick how exactly?