Kobbie Mainoo - The Solution to Manchester United's Problems

People are buzzing about 18-year-old Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo and what a special talent he is. Many even are contemplating if he is the one key piece of the puzzle that the Red Devils have been missing for the last 10 years.

Manchester United, to many, has been the symbol of inconsistency and continuous turmoil in the footballing world in the last decade. The fans, however, struggle to pinpoint one reason for their downfall after the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson.

Kobbie Mainoo, Manchester United — Image Obtained Via Goal

Many blame the Glazers for their lack of effective investments in the club and the poor decisions that followed them. Others blame the wide variety of managers who have taken over their club for instilling a losing mentality and culture. Some also believe the players lack credibility and the hunger to fight for the badge.

Why Manchester United Were In Desperate Need For Kobbie Mainoo?

One consistent problem that remained with the Red Devils after the departures of midfield wizard Paul Scholes, deep-lying puppet master Michael Carrick, and the unstoppable Wayne Rooney was a glaring hole in their midfield, which they failed to replace effectively.

In the 2016/17 season, Jose Mourinho broke the transfer record by splashing £89.3 million on Juventus wonder-kid Paul Pogba, hoping to build the team around him and elevate the midfield to the levels of Europe’s elite. But, this endeavor turned out to be a failure due to various reasons.

United’s midfield suffered from inconsistencies yet again, with names such as Nemanja Matic, Fred, Donny van de Beek, Ander Herrera, Casemiro, Mason Mount, and so many more brought in to revive the team back to the glory days. However, to this day, Manchester United’s midfield suffers from inconsistent selection, with the only real positive signing so far being the captain, Bruno Fernandes.

The lack of quality has hindered Man United in several ways. Post Sir Alex Ferguson, the team has consistently struggled to break down low blocks due to the lack of creativity amongst the midfield options available. In the bigger games, they struggle to dominate possession due to the lack of control, another problem arising from the lack of quality in their midfield options.

Problems In The 2022/23 Season

A significant problem in this season’s United team is the inability to track runners from deep. The midfield is often caught off guard when an opposition player runs into the final-third. This has resulted in the team conceding an astronomical number of goals so far this season.

However, a light amongst the never-ending darkness in the 2023/24 season has been Kobbie Mainoo, a Carrington product who has impressed in every outing so far. Making his Premier League debut against the sanctioned Evertonians, his Man-of-the-Match performance was filled with maturity, calmness and exceptional ball-carrying and passing abilities.

🎙️ | Kobbie Mainoo on making his full #PL debut away at Goodison Park:

“Yeah, it’s not the easiest place to go, [laughs]. But I had to make an impact. It was my first start, at Everton, and so I just had to take it in my stride as much as possible." pic.twitter.com/JT8wGFxiRi

— UtdDistrict (@UtdDistrict) February 27, 2024

Primed to be the key to Manchester United’s success in the coming years, it is pretty ironic how many fans find similarities to Paul Pogba, a player labeled as a flop by the majority of supporters.

How Kobbie Mainoo Can Make A Difference To Manchester United

For a player of only 18 years of age, Kobbie Mainoo displays great maturity on the ball. He showcases his abilities by remaining composed and being able to resist pressure. This can prove to be an effective trait in Manchester United’s attempt to play out of the back.

It also better suits sweeper keeper Andre Onana’s abilities as compared to the likes of Sofyan Amrabat and Christian Eriksen. In the upcoming games for the Red Devils, we can expect the English youngster to play either as a 6 or an 8. These two positions highlight his abilities to play out from the back in a pivot.

Kobbie Mainoo ball today.❤️😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/5qId3r42GM

— 14 (@arbdouul) February 24, 2024

Apart from his composure and press resistance, he can pinpoint passes and showcase his creativity. By consistently scanning the playing field, he reads the movements of the players around him, allowing him to build up play even in tight areas – a crucial trait that Erik ten Hag can utilise in breaking down low blocks, a struggle that has remained with United for a very long period.

Kobbie Mainoo is a star in the making, as seen by his few but stardom performances so far. It remains the duty of Ten Hag and the fans to ensure he remains grounded. The manager must carefully consider the minutes offered to ensure he does not burn out at a young age. This might be a problem the fans are familiar with in the case of Wayne Rooney.

Captain Bruno Fernandes has already sung praises for the kid, saying the academy graduate sees things before anyone else. Still, you don’t have to be a prophet to see that this kid is going to the very top. Talks are already in place about which nationality he will represent. He is clearly a popular talent amongst coaches, especially because they know the best is yet to come.

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