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Kobbie Mainoo’s situation at Old Trafford has undergone a drastic change in the past six months. The 20 year old was once considered the next big thing to emerge out of Carrington.
Intelligent, nimble-footed, and with an eye for the goal, Mainoo quickly captured the supporters’ imagination. His debut Premier League goal against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the 97th minute helped United pick up a late 4-3 win and further endeared him to fans.
From scoring a beautiful curler against Liverpool to finding the back of the net against Manchester City in the FA Cup final, Mainoo quickly became the apple of the Old Trafford faithful’s eyes.
However, he has lost some of his shine following Ruben Amorim’s arrival in November last year. Following a slow start to the season, Mainoo reportedly asked to leave on loan this summer, but his request was denied.
Amorim wants Mainoo to fight for his place in the team
Amorim sees Mainoo as a key part of his plans and has even advised the player to fight for his place in the team.
As things stand, the Englishman needs to reinvent himself as a No. 6 in midfield to ensure he gains regular game time at Old Trafford.
Of course, Mainoo has one of the best in the business to learn from at the Theatre of Dreams. Casemiro has a wealth of experience in that position, and while he is no longer the player he once was, the legendary Brazilian can still be an excellent mentor for the young Englishman.
Mainoo’s technical abilities and composure in tackles at such a young age is something even Casemiro would be proud of. However, the Brazilian boasts a superior ability to interpret danger and make timely interventions to stop counters, qualities that the youngster must pick up.
The Englishman also lacks Casemiro’s physicality, so Mainoo has to toughen up if he wants to transform into a midfield destroyer. With time and guidance, Mainoo can also gain the positional discipline required to flourish in the role.
Mainoo could become Amorim’s Rodri
Many would argue that Mainoo is more of a controller than a destroyer. While learning the tricks of the trade from Casemiro would certainly help his development, perhaps he would be better suited to a “Rodri” role.
The Manchester City midfielder is one of the finest in his position in the world and won the 2024 Ballon d’Or ahead of Vinicius Junior.
Like Rodri, Mainoo is also calm under pressure and is comfortable in tight spaces. The 29 year old, though, has a tendency to hold his position in midfield, which helps him control the tempo of the game.
This is also a trait the Englishman has to pick up.
Mainoo tends to drift forward more often, but if he is to dictate proceedings from the middle of the park, he will have to restrain his attacking desires.
Rodri adds class and composure to Guardiola’s midfield, but he doesn’t shy away from the physical aspects of the game. The Spaniard is equally comfortable doing the dirty work for the team when required.
Thankfully, Mainoo is young enough to add a physical edge to his game and he has the perfect guide in Casemiro for the job.
Mainoo has the ingredients to be a great No. 6 under Amorim
Amorim uses a double pivot in midfield; while one of them is more of a controller, the other is tasked with the defensive role. The Portuguese has mostly used Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes as his options, and Mainoo’s only start has been in the EFL Cup defeat to Grimsby.
That may have been the cause of the Englishman’s recent frustration. However, there’s no denying that he has the ingredients to become a fine fit for the job.
A few tweaks could elevate Mainoo’s game and help establish him as a No. 6 under Amorim.
With Casemiro expected to depart next summer, the Englishman could even take over from the Brazilian as the season progresses.
Featured image Shaun Botterill via Getty Images
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