Kobbie Mainoo made a strong impression last season when he made his debut for the Man United first team. However, his second Premier League campaign was not smooth. A hamstring injury kept the English midfielder out for nearly 2 months. However, the 2005-born star gradually reasserted his position with impressive performances against Man City and Liverpool.
However, what sets Mainoo apart is not the statistics but the way he plays, the ball control and the tempo of the game. Although not the best player in the central midfield position, with his technical and mental maturity, the 19-year-old star is gradually becoming an important piece of the squad.
In an increasingly physical Premier League era, Kobbie Mainoo faces a major challenge. Top clubs are prioritising midfielders with height, power and pace. The likes of Declan Rice, Ryan Gravenberch and Amadou Onana all represent this trend.
At just 1.75m, Mainoo was not considered the ideal midfielder physically. However, after a period of hard training, he has now reached around 1.81m. However, to compete with taller players, the Man United talent needs to make the most of his tactical mind and skillful ball handling ability.
Under Ruben Amorim, The Red Devils have adopted a 3-4-3 formation, requiring the central midfielders to be strong in the tackles. This is an area where Mainoo needs to improve to better meet the tactical requirements. Although not an 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 front line.
In possession, Mainoo is a consistent and accurate passer for a team that often wants to play at a high tempo like United, with former player Gary Neville once comparing him to smaller playmakers like Bernardo Silva and David Silva.
This shows that the potential for the English youngster to develop 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.
United’s tactical changes under Amorim also raise the question of whether Kobbie Mainoo should be pushed into the No. 10 role to maximise his creativity. However, this could create new problems, especially when the defensive partnership of Casemiro and Ugarte is not yet fully aligned.
One of Mainoo’s biggest challenges is not on the pitch, but rather on the financial side of United. To meet financial regulations, the Old Trafford club are willing to consider selling the 2005-born star if they receive a reasonable price. This makes his position precarious, despite his great potential.
However, as an academy graduate, Mainoo is of particular value not only on the pitch but also in meeting the requirements for a number of homegrown players in the squad, which is what makes selling him a difficult decision for the club's board.
To truly shine, Mainoo needs to overcome the pressure of high expectations at such a young age and find a way to maximise his strengths. While he may not be the brightest star in United’s midfield, the 19-year-old is still a player of great value to the present and future of the team.
