[saivet]

I thought he looked really sharp against Leeds. Seemed like he wanted to play at a quicker tempo with less touches on the ball and his passing looked alot more varied.
Promising signs.

What position did he play in?

 

[FrankDrebin]

Noticed this as well. I see no reason why he can’t be capable or spreading the ball further around the pitch. He definitely has the ability.

He just needs to understand that, more often than not, the midfield generally sets the tempo. He just needs to quicken his game.
He's got all the tools to be a good midfielder.

 

[FrankDrebin]

What position did he play in?

Imo he played CM but I'm sure fans will go into far greater detail regarding the role.

 

[Wednesday at Stoke]

He looks ripped in the training pictures.

 

[Ollie Derbyshire]

He looks ripped in the training pictures.

Ripped is all well and good if he’s a boxer, is it going to make him quicker? Let’s hope so.

 

[Frostie]

What happened to him? Labelled England's next big thing not so long ago and the missing piece in the midfield. Now it seems he's not even that respected at United. Overhype, or did he fall off a cliff due to injury?

 

[FromTheBench]

What happened to him? Labelled England's next big thing not so long ago and the missing piece in the midfield. Now it seems he's not even that respected at United. Overhype, or did he fall off a cliff due to injury?

His position is not clear particularly doesnt fit amorim's system yet either as he wants better atheletes.

Lets see this season.

 

[Gandalf]

What happened to him? Labelled England's next big thing not so long ago and the missing piece in the midfield. Now it seems he's not even that respected at United. Overhype, or did he fall off a cliff due to injury?

Currently is best suited to playing in a 3 man midfield which is not the formation we have chosen. There is no need to panic if he spends another season or two as a rotation player adding to his skills and footballing knowledge, Bruno is a decade older and likely will leave by 2027 which would be the ideal time for Kobbie to emerge as the main man in the middle for us. The fast start had people imagining that he would be running the show already but his trajectory right now is perfectly normal for a young player.

 

[RedSky]

Currently is best suited to playing in a 3 man midfield which is not the formation we have chosen. There is no need to panic if he spends another season or two as a rotation player adding to his skills and footballing knowledge, Bruno is a decade older and likely will leave by 2027 which would be the ideal time for Kobbie to emerge as the main man in the middle for us. The fast start had people imagining that he would be running the show already but his trajectory right now is perfectly normal for a young player.

Agreed. I think he'll have a good season this year. The hype and pressure has dialed back, I have no doubts he'll flourish. It'll help matters that we have a semi functioning attack now, should provide him a bit more space. Last season we were toothless and the entire league knew it and could go at our midfield and defense knowing that we'd be unable to exploit it.

 

[Irwin99]

What happened to him? Labelled England's next big thing not so long ago and the missing piece in the midfield. Now it seems he's not even that respected at United. Overhype, or did he fall off a cliff due to injury?

Amorim just spoke well of him in the press conference but there is a question mark about what his best role actually is and if he really has the stamina and physicality to be a dominant CM (his technique is absolutely not in question).

 

[FootyGirl88]

 

[OverratedOpinion]

I think he's just growing into his body. His physique has totally changed in a really short time. If he stays fit, I think he will have a much, much more positive season.

He's still the player in our squad that I am most excited about in the long term along with Yoro.

 

[OverratedOpinion]

Ripped is all well and good if he’s a boxer, is it going to make him quicker? Let’s hope so.

I think he looks ripped but also a little bit lighter than last season. Hopefully finding the right balance.

 

[HJ12]

Second season blues out of the way. I'm hopeful that he kicks on this season.

 

[Ekeke]

What happened to him? Labelled England's next big thing not so long ago and the missing piece in the midfield. Now it seems he's not even that respected at United. Overhype, or did he fall off a cliff due to injury?

A step back in decision making so his performances with the ball werent quite as good. And then overreaction from the fans. He's doing well for a 20 year old

 

[Cutch]

What happened to him? Labelled England's next big thing not so long ago and the missing piece in the midfield. Now it seems he's not even that respected at United. Overhype, or did he fall off a cliff due to injury?

Ran into the ground that first season with Ten Hags suicide formation, then was off to the euros where england got all the way to the final. Only had a couple of weeks off before the start of the next season, had a change in manager and system to contend with, then the inevitable injury, back for 3 months but then injured for another 2 months, so never really got going.

Have high hopes for him this season with a full rest and pre season under his belt.

 

[RuudTom83]

Last season I felt there were too many kids trying to learn and improve on matchdays.

Garnacho on the left, Hojlund in the middle, Amad on the right…all 3 were young/inexperienced/inconsistent.

This season having Cunha and Mbeumo ahead of Mainoo will add some much needed reliable quality.

Hopefully it rubs off and we see a big improvement from Kobbie.

 

[criticalanalysis]

Take that of what you will. We need to develop him in deeper midfield and a passing player.

 

[Glorio]

Second season syndrome happens to lot's of good young players after a breakout season.

He looks fitter and did much better against Leeds than I remember seeing him last season playing CM. I think he can elevate his game and having better seniors around like Cunha and Mbeumo will be a great help.

People refuse to say it but one of our biggest problems last season was our team was so young in key positions. For instance, basically had a front line of youngsters with no good senior pros in those positions to look up to when the going got tough.

 

[dutchred]

This is going to make or break season for him. He looks fitter and stronger than before and I think having Cunha and Mbueno will help him considerably. He should be our starting "8"

 

[BarstoolProphet]

if we are accepting a mediocre season due to few signings, then I would like to see Amorim focus on developing Mainoo in midfield rather than play Casemiro into semi-form like the last six months.

 

[bosnian_red]

Think he was the best player in that half, good to see

 

[puNANI]

Yeah agreed, he looks in good shape. He needed to slim down a bit to get more mobile

 

[Castia]

He’s too good of a player and we’re too shit of a team for him not to be playing every single week

 

[Rilz]

Needs to be quicker in his decision making at times, and develop like breaking passes

If he can do that we’ll have a proper CM

 

[Grande]

Love his ball control. Good partnership with Ugarte today.

 

[Litch]

Did ok today....

 

[Glorio]

Him and Ugarte are probably our best pairing. Just makes you wonder what we do with Bruno.

False 9? Occasionally swapping with Mbeumo perhaps

 

[redom]

His composure and ability to keep the ball under pressure and beat the press is invaluable, just needs to keep developing the other areas of his game.

 

[TempusFugit]

Seems to be light on his feet once again. He was so sluggish last season. Amorim needs to trust him in that midfield role, the problem is neither him nor Ugarte are expansive passers.

 

[FrankDrebin]

Another promising display.

 

[HotOne]

Him and Ugarte are probably our best pairing. Just makes you wonder what we do with Bruno.

False 9? Occasionally swapping with Mbeumo perhaps

The false 9 solves many problems we have in terms of personal. Gets Bruno in the team, without having to put him at CM. Gives extra link up/support to our weak Central midfield. Solves the problem of no decent striker. Allows Embeumo and Cunha to run beyond.

Seems logical to give it a go. The false 9 would also be Zirkzees best position. But I can't see Amorim doing it.

 

[Mr Smith]

This is going to make or break season for him. He looks fitter and stronger than before and I think having Cunha and Mbueno will help him considerably. He should be our starting "8"

It is not a "make or break" season. He's 20. 20 year olds do not have make or break seasons. This is a build rhythm and consistency season, but if it doesn't go smoothly, let's not behave like that would be the end of his United career.

 

[Apokalips]

This is going to make or break season for him. He looks fitter and stronger than before and I think having Cunha and Mbueno will help him considerably. He should be our starting "8"

He is 20 years old, how is this a "make or break" season. He likely won't approach his prime for another 5 years. I think a lot of fans lose all sense of perspective and reality about young players who show promise early.

 

[FlawlessVictory88]

Would be interested to see Cunha used as our #9 with Bruno and Mbeumo as the 10s and then Mainoo/Ugarte as the CMs.

 

[gajender]

He is 20 years old, how is this a "make or break" season. He likely won't approach his prime for another 5 years. I think a lot of fans lose all sense of perspective and reality about young players who show promise early.

By the end of this season he would have a year on his contract along with an year option on Club's side .
If he doesn't get into side regularly or have settled role both Club and Mainoo might feel its best to part ways so yeah it's more or less make or break season for him .

 

[Remember the geese]

By the end of this season he would have a year on his contract along with an year option on Club's side .
If he doesn't get into side regularly or have settled role both Club and Mainoo might feel its best to part ways so yeah it's more or less make or break season for him .

The club won't feel it's best to part ways.

 

[Insanity]

Would be interested to see Cunha used as our #9 with Bruno and Mbeumo as the 10s and then Mainoo/Ugarte as the CMs.

As Amo mentioned, we want him to run with the ball. He would be wasted playing as a striker. I think one of the #10's is the perfect position for him.

 

[Big Ron’s Coat]

Good stuff from him. Hope he gets plenty of chances to adapt this season.

 

[FlawlessVictory88]

As Amo mentioned, we want him to run with the ball. He would be wasted playing as a striker. I think one of the #10's is the perfect position for him.

In an ideal world were United actually have a decent #9 I'd want him as the 10 but that's not where we are.

There's a decent possibility that United are a better team overall with him at #9 and Bruno/Mbeumo as our 10s and Ugarte/Mainoo in midfield instead of Hojliund up top and Bruno playing in the CM.