[WouterWeghorst]

When he got on the ball, he was okay today. The issue was that he was doing a Mctominay act.. alot. Doesn't show for the ball nearly enough. I think he's also not confident in his role within the system.

This exactly. He can do much better then he is showing now, today he was hiding for most of the game + out of possession when they had the ball.

 

[El Jefe]

He's not the best physically in terms of getting about the pitch but he's been a lot worse than normal at that this season. Even his first touch and dribbling isn't as crisp and this is how he usually opened teams up last season. He doesn't have the greatest passing range but if he was normal Mainoo with his touch and dribbling he would be a difference maker.

Just have to hope he's still searching for match sharpness because I can't think of anything he's done well this season.

 

[Frank Grimes]

Off the ball he is weak as he lacks the running power when ran at but his pass selection is really good. Whether that means he can play as a 10 is debatable but certainly worth trying.

Our best spell in the 2nd half was when he got on the ball.

 

[NZT-One]

Passenger for a while now

Ugarte-Casemiro as first choice pair

Prefer Eriksen over Mainoo when Case needs a rest

Deserves minutes still, but young and learning, far from finished article

If we want Mainoo to come good, he needs minutes. Minutes to Eriksen are a waste of time unfortunately.

That being said, I think, he was too passive today. Wonder whether he is unfit, found out to a degree or not really able to understand what the manager wants from him. We definitely need somebody like him in the centre, somebody who can hold on to the ball and do something with, we have next to nobody who can do it. But when he isn't on, then he should be subbed, just like anybody else.

 

[Maureen-yo]

Off the ball he is weak as he lacks the running power when ran at but his pass selection is really good. Whether that means he can play as a 10 is debatable but certainly worth trying.

Our best spell in the 2nd half was when he got on the ball.

Yes and he got on the ball in that spell a lot higher up than the first half. He should be tried as a number 10, his passing around the box would be welcome.

 

[Maureen-yo]

He gets a pass as this was only his second game back but he was never a forward passing player. That is an area where he needs to improve massively if he is to become a top player.

No, some of his best games last season and with England were when he was playing fast, progressive passes to break the lines. It definitely helps if the players ahead of you can either move into space or actually hold the ball up for one twos etc.

 

[kaku06]

I hope he focuses on his football and works hard to improve it.

 

[MyOnlySolskjaer]

Thought he was the worst player on the pitch, let Ugarte do all his running.

 

[MyOnlySolskjaer]

Cleverly is good comparison.
People forget that, when he was on it, he was a decent player.

Cleverley at least had an engine.

 

[Josh 76]

Very early days, but looks a shadow of the player that burst on the scene last season. That may be alot to do with his injuries, the opposition tightening up on him, his young age and handling the publicity.

 

[MikeUpNorth]

Young players are going to blow hot and cold. Especially in a struggling side.

I'm still fairly confident he has 'it'.

 

[The Cat]

He's still knackered from last season and the summer tournament I reckon.

Won't do him any harm to rotate the next few months give him a chance to breathe.

 

[AdNani]

The generational talent, the next seedorf. He’s really not. The way he plays might be good enough for championship. Offers nothing. Reminds me of Oliver Skipp

Ah yes, the annual 'he's a championship player at best' the moment a young player has a dip in form. I genuinely loathe people on here after a defeat.

I hope when he inevitably has another burst of good form you keep the same opinion.

 

[Rajma]

He has all the tools but as I pointed out last season he plays with the intensity of 50 year old at a testimonial, especially off the ball he just roams around hanging his midfield partners out to dry as they scramble to cover the gaps he simply leaves behind.

 

[youngrell]

Felt like he was back to looking good for the opening period but then started to hide a bit, probably down to fitness. He could really do with working on his stamina and he would be a major asset for us.

 

[Frank Grimes]

Felt like he was back to looking good for the opening period but then started to hide a bit, probably down to fitness. He could really do with working on his stamina and he would be a major asset for us.

This has been every game from him ever.
There's no reason a player of his age lacks stamina. Its annoying because his first touch, vision and football know how is really good.
I still think his performance today was a lot better than the reaction on here.

 

[#07]

Surprised to see Kobbie getting some today. I think he looked much more up to speed than he did in his first game back.

I kinda get people being annoyed with his ball progression but, really, the movement of our midfield in the build up is to allow the centre backs to step out with the ball.

The wide players were free, a lot, its not entirely Kobbie's fault that the centre backs didn't have the confidence to play out. The manager even talks about it in the post game press conference.

 

[Matt851]

Just getting back to fitness so maybe layoff him

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Felt like he was back to looking good for the opening period but then started to hide a bit, probably down to fitness. He could really do with working on his stamina and he would be a major asset for us.

Yeah that was my take too. Started off well then faded badly once he gassed. Maybe one of those players who can only get fully fit playing a bunch of consecutive matches? Rooney used to be like that. Not ideal though, I agree.

 

[Maureen-yo]

Surprised to see Kobbie getting some today. I think he looked much more up to speed than he did in his first game back.

I kinda get people being annoyed with his ball progression but, really, the movement of our midfield in the build up is to allow the centre backs to step out with the ball.

The wide players were free, a lot, its not entirely Kobbie's fault that the centre backs didn't have the confidence to play out. The manager even talks about it in the post game press conference.

What did the manager say?

 

[#07]

What did the manager say?

 

[Oscar Bonavena]

Does anyone else think Kobbie might be a good prospect as one of the 10s?

 

[criticalanalysis]

Poor game. As others have said, he was letting Ugarte do a lot of the work on and off the ball. Grew into the game in the second half but that's because Bruno came off and Forrest sat deeper but the damage was done by then.

I'd prefer not to lose games/momentum if it meant 'giving Mainoo minutes' but if this is good for the long term and his development, I'd take that for now because at least I can blindly find some hope for now.

 

[McLvnsMuse]

Too much of the game passes around or over him.

He has to get a foothold in the game. I get the fitness angle but for the time you’re on the field demand the ball. Show for it aggressively. Do something with the ball.

What’s the point having a great ball playing central midfielder if they end up as an anonymous bystander through out the game .

 

[kaku06]

Ah yes, the annual 'he's a championship player at best' the moment a young player has a dip in form. I genuinely loathe people on here after a defeat.

I hope when he inevitably has another burst of good form you keep the same opinion.

Sure. What does he offer that fits him to be a starter here? A loan in the championship would do him a world of good.

 

[golden_blunder]

He’s a player I’ve always thought we were dangerously relying on too much. He needs to be allowed to be young and learn from any mistakes. Not first choice for me.. yet

 

[Ollie Derbyshire]

Off the ball he is weak as he lacks the running power when ran at but his pass selection is really good. Whether that means he can play as a 10 is debatable but certainly worth trying.

Our best spell in the 2nd half was when he got on the ball.

He has all the tools but as I pointed out last season he plays with the intensity of 50 year old at a testimonial, especially off the ball he just roams around hanging his midfield partners out to dry as they scramble to cover the gaps he simply leaves behind.

I pointed this out when he first came into the team, he simply doesn’t have the athleticism or engine to play as a CM. It leaves too much for the other midfielder to cover. I think I could out run in when tracking back.

He needs to be further up the pitch to be impactful.

 

[Robindinho]

His lack of athleticism will always be a worry - like he's running through treacle.

One of the 10's would suit him better I think, won't have to cover as much ground/get caught on transition.

 

[Canucantona20]

First game with Uguarte, new system, and a new coach. It will take time to develop the partnership with Uguarte but I have full confidence he will be a class player in this system. Just needs time.

 

[cpresc]

I think he needs to play as one of two tens with Amad

———— Poacher
—— Mainoo - Amad
Nacho ——————Mazza
——- Bruno — Ugarte


Could be great

 

[Ish]

He’s a player I’ve always thought we were dangerously relying on too much. He needs to be allowed to be young and learn from any mistakes. Not first choice for me.. yet

This

 

[jamesjimmybyrondean]

I thought he was good on the ball. It was off it he struggled

 

[Idxomer]

I thought he was good on the ball. It was off it he struggled

Yes agree with that though that didn't hurt United much either, Nottingham were hardly threatening apart from set-pieces.

There's an overreaction to his performance here.

 

[devilish]

He’s a player I’ve always thought we were dangerously relying on too much. He needs to be allowed to be young and learn from any mistakes. Not first choice for me.. yet

This

 

[Oranges038]

I thought he was good on the ball. It was off it he struggled

Yeah, she showed some lovely touches to evade tackles and kept it tidy.

There were a few occasions where he could have been braver with his choice of pass, fairly sure there was at least one near the left wing where he could have put Garnacho through into space, but he took the safe sideways pass.

Few others where he got on it centrally and could have switched it wide early, but again played the safe sideways pass.

 

[tomaldinho1]

He’s not a CM, I’m amazed he’s still being played there. Not saying they are close to being the same level, but if you played Iniesta as a Cm pair he’d be woeful. Mainoo needs to be in the 10s for this system.

 

[Yagami]

Has to play purely because he's one of the very, very few players we have that has the ability to play under pressure.

Ideally we bring in more players of this ilk who are further along in their development, and then we can rest/rotate Mainoo without losing quality. It's a big ask, though, as we rarely sign these players, but this is what we need from the new structure under INEOS.

 

[Tony247]

He’s a player I’ve always thought we were dangerously relying on too much. He needs to be allowed to be young and learn from any mistakes. Not first choice for me.. yet

Unfortunately we don't have enough quality midfielders in their prime years and fitness.

 

[golden_blunder]

Unfortunately we don't have enough quality midfielders in their prime years and fitness.

Yeah I understand that, we need to create a squad so that he’s not shoved in every week

 

[Insanity]

No, some of his best games last season and with England were when he was playing fast, progressive passes to break the lines. It definitely helps if the players ahead of you can either move into space or actually hold the ball up for one twos etc.

He long passing is not very good and he struggles with the physicality of the game. Last night, his short passing was a bit too off and he looked a bit slow doing even the simpler things. He just back from an injury into a new system so it's not a big deal. However, he'll have to improve on his passing if he has to become a top player.