Kobbie Mainoo made a strong impression in the season before debuting for the first team of Man United. However, his second Premier League campaign has not been smooth. A hamstring injury has kept the England midfielder out for nearly two months. However, since then, the star born in 2005 has gradually reasserted his position with impressive performances against Man City and Liverpool.
However, what makes Mainoo different is not the statistics but the way he plays, controls the ball and the tempo of the game. Although not the best player in the central midfield position, with his technical and thinking maturity, the 19-year-old star is gradually becoming an important piece of the squad.
In an era of the Premier League where physical factors are increasingly emphasized, Kobbie Mainoo faces major challenges. Top clubs are prioritizing midfielders with outstanding height, power and breakthrough speed. Some names such as Declan Rice, Ryan Gravenberch or Amadou Onana all represent this trend.
With an initial height of only 1m75, Mainoo is not considered an ideal midfielder in terms of physique. However, after a hard training process, he has now reached about 1m81. However, to compete with tall players, Man United's talent needs to make the most of their tactical mind and skillful ball handling ability.
Under Ruben Amorim, The Red Devils have applied a 3-4-3 formation, requiring central midfielders to be strong in their disputes. This is a point that Mainoo needs to improve to better meet tactical requirements. Although not the type of excellent defender like Casemiro or Manuel Ugarte, the English star stands out in his ability to receive the ball from the back and distribute it to the upper line.
When he has the ball, Mainoo is a reasonable and very accurate pass in a team that often wants to play at high speed like Man United. Former player Gary Neville once compared him to small-scale playmakers like Bernardo Silva or David Silva.
This shows that the development potential of the English star is huge with his technical qualities. However, Mainoo's defensive statistics are also very encouraging for a 19-year-old player in the Premier League.
Man United's tactical changes under Amorim also question whether Kobbie Mainoo should be pushed to the "number 10" position to make the most of his creativity. However, this could create a new problem, especially when the Casemiro - Ugarte pair have not fully agreed in a defensive role.
One of the biggest challenges for Mainoo has not come from the pitch, but from Man United's financial situation. To meet financial regulations, the Old Trafford team is ready to consider selling the young star born in 2005 if they receive a reasonable price. This has left his position uncertain, despite his great potential.
However, as an acclaimed player from the academy, Mainoo has special value not only on the pitch but also in meeting the requirements for the number of "homegrown" players in the squad. This is a factor that makes selling him a difficult decision for the team's leadership.
To truly shine, Mainoo needs to overcome the pressure of too many expectations at a young age and find a way to optimize his strengths. Although not the brightest star in Man United's midfield, the 19-year-old star is still a player of great value for the present and future of the team.
