Kobbie Mainoo image 37

Kobbie Mainoo England flag

2025-26 Performances

View full 2025-26 profile

5.5 Season Average Rating
Appearances
19
Goals
0
Assists
3
Yellow cards
1
gajender said:
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 .
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I think that's wrong, I think he's got 2 more and a +1 at the end of the season.
 
All he needs is to continue getting fitter / sharper, and develop his progressive passing and he’ll be a top top player. If he can develop his progressive passing then I’d be going all in Baleba instead of Wharton next summer.

Baleba and Mainoo could be special.
 
Thought he was immaculate on the ball. Done some great work pressing upfield as well.

The only issue with him and Ugarte in midfield is they don't really have the recovery pace to get back when the press get's broken. Some of that is on the defenders to hold up attackers and win their 1v1 duels, but it's still a bit of a worry... I'm not sure we have a solution to that in the squad.

I'm much less sure we will start with Bruno in midfield now - it's an interesting puzzle to be solved
 
I'm glad common sense seems to have prevailed and Mainoo is back playing in the deeper positions. Always thought it was bizarre that he was being played almost exclusively in the advanced roles last season
 
Faetheshire86 said:
Thought he was immaculate on the ball. Done some great work pressing upfield as well.

The only issue with him and Ugarte in midfield is they don't really have the recovery pace to get back when the press get's broken. Some of that is on the defenders to hold up attackers and win their 1v1 duels, but it's still a bit of a worry... I'm not sure we have a solution to that in the squad.

I'm much less sure we will start with Bruno in midfield now - it's an interesting puzzle to be solved
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Amorim said after the last game that we lack pace in midfield, with got questioned by the gurus on here, but I think that’s exactly what he was referring to. The way I see it, the only way to get away with it this season is to push the defence up high and rely on their recovery pace a bit more instead, which is obviously a lot better than that of our midfielders. Unless we do sign a midfielder that can recover well.
 
He looked like he had more stamina to cover ground off the ball. If he can keep that up he will have improved.
Showed some nice ball carrying and decent passing on it too.
 
CM said:
I'm glad common sense seems to have prevailed and Mainoo is back playing in the deeper positions. Always thought it was bizarre that he was being played almost exclusively in the advanced roles last season
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Yeah especially in the 2nd leg against Lyon
 
Faetheshire86 said:
Thought he was immaculate on the ball. Done some great work pressing upfield as well.

The only issue with him and Ugarte in midfield is they don't really have the recovery pace to get back when the press get's broken. Some of that is on the defenders to hold up attackers and win their 1v1 duels, but it's still a bit of a worry... I'm not sure we have a solution to that in the squad.

I'm much less sure we will start with Bruno in midfield now - it's an interesting puzzle to be solved
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The goal we conceded was a good example of our of position and unable to track back in time.
 
Last season I thought he was decent the first 3 games before falling off a cliff. If I remember correctly I think he had the most interceptions (11) after three games.

He needs to raise and sustain the intensity of his play. And with time add the impactful playmaking from the middle.
 
CM said:
I'm glad common sense seems to have prevailed and Mainoo is back playing in the deeper positions. Always thought it was bizarre that he was being played almost exclusively in the advanced roles last season
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He wasn't fit or strong enough to play deep last season. He was very switched off and slow. He also came up through the youth setups playing attacking midfield. It's one of the hardest roles at this level. Playmaking midfield and striker. Everything is split second.

I have very high hopes for him but we won't see the very best of him for a few years yet. I think that's why if he likes it here he shouldn't be aiming for a crazy contract. Surely he can see he still has a way to go before he can be counted as nailed on.
 
Thought he did very well along side a midfield partner that provided the physical support and aggression to compliment his characteristics.

He kept the ball well in tight areas, turned and spread the play, kept it simple when needed and showed he can beat a man. Was tackling and physical when needed too.

Whatever role he is asked to play in the team his going to play it in his own image. He’s going get beat in physical situations, he’s going to get out paced at times. These things have happened to the best players in the world at time too. However get him playing in a fluid team and these issues lessen with experience and development.

Just hope we give him the platform to develop alongside several other young prospects.
 
pocco said:
Amorim said after the last game that we lack pace in midfield, with got questioned by the gurus on here, but I think that’s exactly what he was referring to. The way I see it, the only way to get away with it this season is to push the defence up high and rely on their recovery pace a bit more instead, which is obviously a lot better than that of our midfielders. Unless we do sign a midfielder that can recover well.
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Yeah if the defenders can push up (and given there's three of them one of them should be able to engage directly) then you don't even have to win the ball as long as you can prevent the attackers from running directly at you, or at least slow them down enough for the midfielders and wing backs to get back on the right side of the ball.
 
I mean not many CMs are lightning quick. Vitinha, Zubimendi, Rice, Rodri, Tchouameni, MacAllister. It’s how the manager sets up his midfield, and then coupled with how these players physically complete and win duels with anticipation and strength.

Mainoo can do that. And it’s clear to see that he’s working on being more mobile.
 
FlawlessVictory88 said:
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.
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He wasn't very good as a striker at AM, what makes you think he would work as a striker here? Taking him off from his best position makes no sense.
 
Good game from him. If he can keep it up, it will be a massive positive and save us some money. I still then we should sign a DM this summer but more as a partner for Mainoo.
 
Apokalips said:
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.
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He's had a huge fall off last season. In 23/24 he was one of the best Utd players and he was in the starting lineup in Euro 2024 finals for England. I am not saying it's going to be a "make or break" season for Mainoo but this excuse that "he's only 20" doesn't really make sense.

He's had an awful last season and he became a bench warmer and a squad player who makes occassional cameos. How in the world did he manage to go from being a starter at the Euro finals to being a squad player in such a short period of time? I am not trying to bash the guy, but that's the reality. He really needs to step up his form next season, otherwise he might have the same fate as Garnacho.
 
Insanity said:
He wasn't very good as a striker at AM, what makes you think he would work as a striker here? Taking him off from his best position makes no sense.
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Non penalty goals 89th percentile
Non penalty goals xg 90th percentile
Assists: 95th percentile
Goals + assists: 93rd percentile
Non penalty expected goals and assists 92nd percentile

He was very good for AM, they also sold him for a profit.

He's played for Brazil at #9 a number of times and been good too.

While I agree that overall his best position is in the left channel I think that United lining up with:

https://ibb.co/MxN4VgpC

Is stronger than:

https://ibb.co/tPKS0LP2
 
FlawlessVictory88 said:
Non penalty goals 89th percentile
Non penalty goals xg 90th percentile
Assists: 95th percentile
Goals + assists: 93rd percentile
Non penalty expected goals and assists 92nd percentile

He was very good for AM, they also sold him for a profit.

He's played for Brazil at #9 a number of times and been good too.

While I agree that overall his best position is in the left channel I think that United lining up with:

https://ibb.co/MxN4VgpC

Is stronger than:

https://ibb.co/tPKS0LP2
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Zirkzee instead might be better.
 
Hope he solidifies the position next to Bruno.

His composure on the ball is so valuable.

Just need some more progressive passing from him and I don't see a better option next to Bruno in the squad.
 
He's been extremely sharp this pre season so far. Hope to see him tried as Brunos partner as we just need to get him in the team IMO. But scared that it's him or Bruno for the creative CM spot, because that would seriously limit his game time if it's just that or subs at 10. Elite talent, when he's on it he just looks like the most talented player on the pitch and it's been the case this tour.
 
Eddy_JukeZ said:
Hope he solidifies the position next to Bruno.

His composure on the ball is so valuable.

Just need some more progressive passing from him and I don't see a better option next to Bruno in the squad.
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Interesting you mention that.

Whether Amorim shares the same thinking is another matter, but I still remember Kobbie’s debut against Everton as a 6 - and he was outstanding. Is he as aggressive off the ball as Ugarte? No. Does he win as many duels as Casemiro? Probably not.

But, as you said, he's composed in possession, and in matches where we're expected to dominate the ball, I don't see why Amorim couldn’t play the two together.
 
Really hope he kicks on this season. Disaster from all involved aside from Bruno last season so can't read too much into his ability right now. In a functioning side and confidence regained let's see what he can do.
 
I think the only thing holds him back is his inability to get on the ball. He just doesn't get on the ball enough. He should be constantly looking for it, especially when it's with the CBs or FBs to help them move it forward.
 
Skills said:
I think the only thing holds him back is his inability to get on the ball. He just doesn't get on the ball enough. He should be constantly looking for it, especially when it's with the CBs or FBs to help them move it forward.
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I'm not sure that's the only thing. His long range passing and his general physicality are also areas of his game that should be improved.
 
Rooney in Paris said:
I'm not sure that's the only thing. His long range passing and his general physicality are also areas of his game that should be improved.
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I agree, but he should be way more effective than he currently is with the tools he's already got.

If he can improve the two things you've mentioned that would take him up a whole new level.
 
Rossa said:
Haven’t watched any pre-season matches. How is his mobility, speed and fitness levels looking? Those were concerns last season.
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It looks better but always hard to tell from pre season.
 
bosnian_red said:
He's been extremely sharp this pre season so far. Hope to see him tried as Brunos partner as we just need to get him in the team IMO. But scared that it's him or Bruno for the creative CM spot, because that would seriously limit his game time if it's just that or subs at 10. Elite talent, when he's on it he just looks like the most talented player on the pitch and it's been the case this tour.
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We have been open and easy to get through as it is, having no DM would be suicidal. Neither are good at positioning, neither keep to where they should be.
 
Skills said:
I agree, but he should be way more effective than he currently is with the tools he's already got.

If he can improve the two things you've mentioned that would take him up a whole new level.
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Yep absolutely. But I definitely think his long passing needs to improve in his position, I feel like we've barely seen it in fact.
 
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