[romufc]

Kept the ball ok? He passes it about 3 yards to Luke Shaw every time. Last night summed up everything I have been saying as to why he doesn't play more. No intensity, not mobile (worse than Casemiro), no passing range, takes zero responsibility (I mean, compare him to Lacey for example, it's embarrassing) and is just passive. Being able to evade a tight situation once in a blue moon does not make you a good midfielder.

I have been saying this for a while on Kobbie.. just because he can dribble away from a tight situation, doesn't mean he is any good.

The lack of intensity for a young player, from Casemiro you can understand due to his age but Mainoo?

Apparently if you pass sideways and backwards its fine because so many fans on here rate him.

Now its oh.. he isn't fully fit so that is why he isn't playing well.

He has 0 creativity, he can't track a man, he cant see further than a 10 yard sideways pass.

I will be surprised if he is here long term.. or be a successful PL player.

 

[El Jefe]

Pointless sub for Bruno, totally momentum killer.

If I want someone who is great at passing the ball backwards and sideways I'll stick Shaw in midfield.

You do know it was Mount that came on for Bruno? Not surprised that you didn’t pick that up because Mount did nothing for his first 25mins or so on the pitch.

That to me is the funniest thing about yesterday. Mainoo’s thread is so active but I don’t even think Mount’s performance thread has been bumped and he was more disappointing in his sub appearance as was Zirkzee.

 

[KeanoMagicHat]

So you just expect a player to start because you think he is this amazing player in your head?

Should the player not prove on the pitch he deserves to start or get more minutes?

Kobbie has done nothing this season to suggest he deserves to play.

No he shouldn't necessarily start, but you're making sweeping statements about a 20-year-old coming back from injury that was frozen out, who played for 16 minutes.

I have been saying this for a while on Kobbie.. just because he can dribble away from a tight situation, doesn't mean he is any good.

The lack of intensity for a young player, from Casemiro you can understand due to his age but Mainoo?

Apparently if you pass sideways and backwards its fine because so many fans on here rate him.

Now its oh.. he isn't fully fit so that is why he isn't playing well.

He has 0 creativity, he can't track a man, he cant see further than a 10 yard sideways pass.

I will be surprised if he is here long term.. or be a successful PL player.

I saw him play live for England a few years ago break the lines several times for a player who supposedly can't pass. He played in the Euros final and he's only 20, give him a chance.

 

[Frank White]

You do know it was Mount that came on for Bruno? Not surprised that you didn’t pick that up because Mount did nothing for his first 25mins or so on the pitch.

That to me is the funniest thing about yesterday. Mainoo’s thread is so active but I don’t even think Mount’s performance thread has been bumped and he was more disappointing in his sub appearance as was Zirkzee.

Caspar gets away with this way to much for my liking as well. He'll show up for about 5% of the time he's actually on the pitch and the rest he's mia. On Mainoo he wasn't amazing, wasn't awful just a bit to much of nothingness we've come to see from him recently. In fairness he was getting sub 10 mins normally so maybe he'll take time to grow into the game but you kinda want a bit more from him against a relegation candidate Burnley.

 

[romufc]

No he shouldn't necessarily start, but you're making sweeping statements about a 20-year-old coming back from injury that was frozen out, who played for 16 minutes.

So asking for a player to earn playing minutes is frozen out?

The way I see frozen out is what Amorim did to players like Rashford, Garnacho...

I saw him play live for England a few years ago break the lines several times for a player who supposedly can't pass. He played in the Euros final and he's only 20, give him a chance.

Thats nice, I saw Delle Alli look like he could be world class? where is he now?

 

[flameinthesun]

Honestly feel like some of us are watching different players. He was rusty but had a positive impact. When he came on he took charge in the midfield and did what he does e.g. link up play, carry the ball forward and made a few tackles. He also misplaced a couple passes which is not surprising seeing as he hasn't really had the opportunity to get his season going. He clearly needs to play in a 3, he has his weaknesses as does every player, so playing him with the right players around him is important.

 

[RatPack]

Kept the ball ok? He passes it about 3 yards to Luke Shaw every time. Last night summed up everything I have been saying as to why he doesn't play more. No intensity, not mobile (worse than Casemiro), no passing range, takes zero responsibility (I mean, compare him to Lacey for example, it's embarrassing) and is just passive. Being able to evade a tight situation once in a blue moon does not make you a good midfielder.

On top of this his defensive work have always been crap. He is so slow in press, he has no aggressiveness. Yes he can hold onto the ball, but other than that he is useless.

 

[Real Name]

This is the thing, the one thing he wasn’t when he first started playing was wasteful. I think he’s in his head that he has to prove something and so it just trying to much.

To me it seems more like he's playing with the I've done it all but they dont let me play mentality, making passes with half will and like he's on a stroll through the park.

 

[Champ]

Not sure anything can be gathered from last night's cameo, he's coming back from an injury layoff and minimal game time recently, he's bound to be a bit rusty.
Thought he looked ok, if not a bit laboured which is to be expected.
Showed some good strength last night at times though which is good to see.

 

[bosnian_red]

I think he did alright. Some rusty moments, but he did well defensively and he just misplaced 2 passes (which were sloppy but that was it), and he got involved a lot (21 passes in 15 minutes).

What he needs to develop is passing range. I don't think he'll ever really be a creative passer, just not really his game. But he can break the lines with his touches and he can keep possession really well in deep areas. That's why I like him as a deep playmaker. But to really develop as a player in that role, he needs to develop his passing range as right now he doesn't really have the ability to ping the ball out to the wings. That was an important trait for Amorims midfield 2, but also if you look at typical United midfielders, Sir Alex midfielders, they need that ability to spread the pitch with their passing.

He's young though. With game time and development, it can come.

 

[Mike Smalling]

Not gonna judge him based on a short cameo after an injury. We know he is tidy in possession, but needs to work on his intensity and mid/long range passing.

Hope we see more of him soon.

 

[Valencia Shin Crosses]

That's my biggest gripe with him, yesterday, there was an easy pass to the flank (either intended to Shaw or Dorgu) that he misplaced which irritated me so much, but there was one pass that he made and broke the line and Mount got the ball in the center of the pitch with loads of space, he has it in him to pass better than what we are seeing.

He wasn't that good in his cameo but he also wasn't that bad too, it was decent for someone coming back from injury

Just feel like there needs to be more to his game as a midfielder eventually than some tight space dribbling and neat feet around the box, especially if he's always going to be a little bit limited physically. People loved to compare him to a young Thiago but Thiago was a fecking brilliant progressor and passer along with being gifted on the ball himself.

Otherwise Mainoo will end up being ultimately disappointing as a player compared to what his potential when he burst on the scene could have been, especially since he's more than gifted enough from a pure technical standpoint to improve on some of this stuff.

 

[Marwood]

I didnt think he was as bad as people are making out, thought he did ok. Casemiro looked miles off it in the second half and it as a good sub at the time. He needs a run of games to get up to speed but certainly wouldnt write him off.

Me neither.

One dodgy pass and although the shot was the wrong decision we did need a goal with just a few mins left.

 

[AndyMUFC]

Honestly feel like some of us are watching different players. He was rusty but had a positive impact. When he came on he took charge in the midfield and did what he does e.g. link up play, carry the ball forward and made a few tackles. He also misplaced a couple passes which is not surprising seeing as he hasn't really had the opportunity to get his season going. He clearly needs to play in a 3, he has his weaknesses as does every player, so playing him with the right players around him is important.

I agree, still really like him as a player myself. We know he's not perfect, but he's the only midfielder we've got that can receive the ball in between the lines and carry it forward.

 

[RedEarth]

Football fans in England have never appreciated good centre midfielders properly anyway. The ones that can receive a ball and pass a ball. That famous Daily Heil photo insulting Xavi... Our own Carrick and Scholes binned off in favour of the Gerrard and Lampard failed glory axis.

One thing Kobbie does well, and which he did last night, is to simply show for the ball. He's always adjusting his position to be available for his team-mates, finding a little space so that they can find him, helping them out. Always scanning ahead and around, like the good players do. This isn't lung-busting runs or box-to-box or passion, but it is very useful to help keep control of a match, something which we have lacked these last 10/12/15 years. He's got the skill set to get there, and hopefully a good run through Jan/Feb will help him start to look like the real deal again.

 

[Brazilian_Ronaldo_9]

Football fans in England have never appreciated good centre midfielders properly anyway. The ones that can receive a ball and pass a ball. That famous Daily Heil photo insulting Xavi... Our own Carrick and Scholes binned off in favour of the Gerrard and Lampard failed glory axis.

One thing Kobbie does well, and which he did last night, is to simply show for the ball. He's always adjusting his position to be available for his team-mates, finding a little space so that they can find him, helping them out. Always scanning ahead and around, like the good players do. This isn't lung-busting runs or box-to-box or passion, but it is very useful to help keep control of a match, something which we have lacked these last 10/12/15 years. He's got the skill set to get there, and hopefully a good run through Jan/Feb will help him start to look like the real deal again.

I’m sorry but when can Kobbie receive a ball and pass a ball? He’s nowhere in the league of Carrick or Scholes.

We’ve been dying for a midfielder that we’ve pinned our hopes on him when he isn’t it. He’s not a bad player with his tight dribbling but there are many better players who can do that job who are quick and threatening in attack.

He has no passing range like Kroos therefore he’s not in that category where his physical limitations can be made up as a passing dictator.

He’ll be a useful squad player if he bides his time. He isn’t a world class or great talent.

 

[pocco]

On top of this his defensive work have always been crap. He is so slow in press, he has no aggressiveness. Yes he can hold onto the ball, but other than that he is useless.

An incredibly niche player. I remember when we had issues with Pogba lacking in some of these areas, but he was so much better than Mainoo. I just don't get the numpties that have made such a big fuss over him not playing more. He's not fit to lace the boots of Bruno or Case, and right now Ugarte is also comfortably ahead.

 

[RedEarth]

I’m sorry but when can Kobbie receive a ball and pass a ball? He’s nowhere in the league of Carrick or Scholes.

We’ve been dying for a midfielder that we’ve pinned our hopes on him when he isn’t it. He’s not a bad player with his tight dribbling but there are many better players who can do that job who are quick and threatening in attack.

He has no passing range like Kroos therefore he’s not in that category where his physical limitations can be made up as a passing dictator.

He’ll be a useful squad player if he bides his time. He isn’t a world class or great talent.

Hark at you lot. You're comparing just getting started Mainoo with the whole careers of modern greats, players that barely gave a pass away in 15 years of top level football. But! Most of them weren't first team, elite level regulars by 20 years old. Scholes, Xavi, Kroos... Modric didn't even sign for Spurs until he was 23, and Madrid only at 27. You're writing Mainoo off at about the same age as Modric was when he was playing for Inter Zapresic... or Beckham when he was playing for Preston.

Have a little patience lads, eh...

 

[TheReligion]

Very disappointed with his cameo last night. Appreciate he’s been absent for a while and out of favour.

Needs game time to find his rhythm but also needs to step up himself and make a mark.

Very safe last night yet still made some sloppy passes he should complete along with poor decision making such as that ridiculous strike whilst offset around the 90 minute mark.

 

[RuudTom83]

Fans are just happy to see him on the pitch.

I think he is fine for a squad player. Just bring him on for the last part of the matches, and in an injury crisis, he could start a few games.

The noise around him has been too much this season, but now Amorim has gone, I hope it all dies down and he can just get on with playing his part.

 

[beck7]

You do know it was Mount that came on for Bruno? Not surprised that you didn’t pick that up because Mount did nothing for his first 25mins or so on the pitch.

That to me is the funniest thing about yesterday. Mainoo’s thread is so active but I don’t even think Mount’s performance thread has been bumped and he was more disappointing in his sub appearance as was Zirkzee.

At least with mount we know what he is about. What is this guy about? What does he do?

 

[poleglass red]

happy enough with that. He came on, showed some grit at times. The one thing he does that neither Ugarte or Casemiro do, is he shows for the ball, and looks confident in possession of it. Bit sloppy at times, but he's barely played and just back from injury. Casemiro looks like he's running on fumes at the minute. Having to play 90 mins in previous games instead of his usual 60 mins has caught up with him. Needs dropped, hopefully Mainoo is fit enough to step in for the full 90 mins.

 

[Brazilian_Ronaldo_9]

Hark at you lot. You're comparing just getting started Mainoo with the whole careers of modern greats, players that barely gave a pass away in 15 years of top level football. But! Most of them weren't first team, elite level regulars by 20 years old. Scholes, Xavi, Kroos... Modric didn't even sign for Spurs until he was 23, and Madrid only at 27. You're writing Mainoo off at about the same age as Modric was when he was playing for Inter Zapresic... or Beckham when he was playing for Preston.

Have a little patience lads, eh...

You can tell by a footballers skillset and attributes. Mainoo doesn’t have the passing range nor is he the box to box Rice type.

Somethings you have to accept, he could be a good player further up but then you could easily get someone quicker with similar dribbling?

 

[Matt851]

So asking for a player to earn playing minutes is frozen out?

The way I see frozen out is what Amorim did to players like Rashford, Garnacho...



Thats nice, I saw Delle Alli look like he could be world class? where is he now?

Imagine if you applied some of the same standards to ugarte and casemiro (to a lesser extent), you could easily make an argument for them to never get any minutes

 

[romufc]

Imagine if you applied some of the same standards to ugarte and casemiro (to a lesser extent), you could easily make an argument for them to never get any minutes

Well, do we not want Ugarte and Casemiro replaced? I think everyone on here will be in agreement that both should leave this summer?

The fact that both start ahead of Mainoo just shows his levels too.

IMO Ugarte starts based on his athleticism... to get around the pitch, he is more aggressive compared to anyone we have... and Casemiro starts based on his experience and his passing is probably the best out the 3.

Evidence is when he whipped the ball into Sesko and he is a threat aerially.

 

[Hammondo]

Imagine if you applied some of the same standards to ugarte and casemiro (to a lesser extent), you could easily make an argument for them to never get any minutes

Those standards are why those 2 have been starting ahead of Mainoo.

 

[klayton88]

Kept the ball ok? He passes it about 3 yards to Luke Shaw every time. Last night summed up everything I have been saying as to why he doesn't play more. No intensity, not mobile (worse than Casemiro), no passing range, takes zero responsibility (I mean, compare him to Lacey for example, it's embarrassing) and is just passive. Being able to evade a tight situation once in a blue moon does not make you a good midfielder.

Agree with all of this. Moves like an old man and has the passing ability of Ugarte. Move him on.

 

[NotChatGPT]

Free Kobbie

 

[ClaytonBlackmoorLeftPeg]

Agree with all of this. Moves like an old man and has the passing ability of Ugarte. Move him on.

Wrong.

 

[Godfather]

No positional awareness at all. Can't do it in a 2 man midfield and probably also not in a three

 

[IrishMcD]

Wonder if his family will be tweeting after this?

 

[NotChatGPT]

Wrong.

Which bit

 

[Based Adnan]

Never seen a players reputation get so enhanced by not playing as much as Kobbie

Incapable of passing the ball forward and is a liability off the ball. Should get rid in the summer.

 

[Gaidal]

Truly a nothing player. Could throw in any random dude from the street and it would look no different.

 

[jem]

He was ok - nothing more, nothing less.

 

[ClaytonBlackmoorLeftPeg]

Which bit

All of it.

 

[Oranges038]

He wasn't the worst, but I'd cut him some slack for not having played a lot up to now. Replacing him with Zirkzee was just pointless.

 

[bosnian_red]

Played well IMO. We lost so whatever but he did well on an individual level, on and off the ball.

 

[ClaytonBlackmoorLeftPeg]

Thought he played well. Had a bit of tenacity about him.

He’s going to be a bit rusty given that’s his second stet of the season and he’s been out with an injury.

We’ve seen our midfield put in far worse performances than that this season.

 

[RedIan]

Good on the ball but hes to slow for me. Id sell and use the money wisely on a box too box midfielder with power.