[How Kobbie Mainoo could be used by #MUFC in 23/24 - THREAD]
When I saw Mainoo in past youth games, I felt an advanced playmaker 8 role would suit him well. But youth to senior transitions aren't that simplistic. Mainoo has some traits that are very rare at the top level.
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When I saw Mainoo in past youth games, I felt an advanced playmaker 8 role would suit him well. But youth to senior transitions aren't that simplistic. Mainoo has some traits that are very rare at the top level.
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a) Technique & composure to recieve in tight areas & manipulate the ball
b) Aware positioning & movement in build up
c) Tempo control to slow/hasten the game as required
And these are also traits #MUFC's current midfield doesn't have much of.
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b) Aware positioning & movement in build up
c) Tempo control to slow/hasten the game as required
And these are also traits #MUFC's current midfield doesn't have much of.
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I had predicted that this season will be Garnacho-esue for Mainoo in that he'll have 10+ 90s overall including starts & subs. More starts than subs compared to AG last year ofc. The recent rumours indicate Mainoo is staying. I see 2 roles where Mainoo can be used this season.
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1. The LCM all-phase 8 role that drops deep/wide to help in build up & then joins the attack in the attacking LHS. My guess for the season is that Mount takes over from Eriksen for that role, but Mainoo could be an option when one/both are injured or playing RCM or winger.
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2. The DM 6 role. Now, Mainoo isn't a like-for-like for Casemiro but he doesn't have to be. Pre-season games showed us that he has the on-ball ability to play as a playmaker 6 who shows himself or drops into the backline to help progress. Casmiro would often be pushed ahead
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in build up & be used as a pawn to create space for others instead. In Mainoo's case he has the ability to ask for the ball in those tight DM areas under pressure & carry/pass out from the back. This reduces build up burden but would need defensive support which could be
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provided in the form of inverting one or both fullbacks & having one of the 8s drop deep to help out. We saw in pre-season Mount dropping deep & one of Alvaro or AWB (first game mainly) providing extra protection in transition. This setup could be a good option when facing
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weaker teams who have low blocks to break & we are predicted to have most of the ball. It's these games where the extra progression & playmaking pro exceeds the slight drop in transition defence. This could happen a lot esp if we don't get another 6 like Amrabat.
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In both cases, I don't expect Mainoo to be started or subbed on vs tough opponents or when we're losing. Expecting lot of control-the-game subs in winning state & starts in early cup rounds or vs weaker league teams. All in all, I am excited to see Mainoo play this season.
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Do let me know how the formation diagrams in this thread turned out. Trying them for the first time. Plan to use them for the coming season if it helps communicate the point.
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