š§Ŗ Manchester Unitedās LCM Dynamics: Kobbie Mainoo & Mason Mount.
With K. Mainoo & M. Mount, #mufc have LCM depth for most clubs to be envious of. Whilst in some aspects they share qualities, they also have distinct attributes that differentiate them.
[Written by @EthanTaIks]
With K. Mainoo & M. Mount, #mufc have LCM depth for most clubs to be envious of. Whilst in some aspects they share qualities, they also have distinct attributes that differentiate them.
[Written by @EthanTaIks]
Manchester Unitedās midfield has plenty of revamping to be undertaken yet, but one position in which United can count upon as competitive at the elite level is their LCM options (barring fitness concerns).
With Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount, United have two valuable skillsets.
With Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount, United have two valuable skillsets.
Kobbie Mainoo: the boy wonder, the brightest light to shine out of Carrington in a long time, the prodigal son of Old Trafford.
& Mason Mount, less glamorous to some, because of the circumstances surrounding his transfer to United ā but if fit, is a major cast in INEOSā rebuild.
& Mason Mount, less glamorous to some, because of the circumstances surrounding his transfer to United ā but if fit, is a major cast in INEOSā rebuild.
Both Mainoo & Mount are āconnectorsā (players that progress the ball btwn. the lines).
Mainoo is an all-phase connector. He connects play in deep + advanced areas. Mastery of the āstiff armā when receiving, top spatial awareness & ability to shuffle to provide the pass option.
Mainoo is an all-phase connector. He connects play in deep + advanced areas. Mastery of the āstiff armā when receiving, top spatial awareness & ability to shuffle to provide the pass option.
Mount, on the other hand, is a different type of connector. He is an exclusively middle to final third connector.
Why? Mount is much more skilled at finding pockets of space in advanced areas, between the opposition DEF + MDF lines.
Both connectors, but š¤ differentiations.
Why? Mount is much more skilled at finding pockets of space in advanced areas, between the opposition DEF + MDF lines.
Both connectors, but š¤ differentiations.
That does not mean Mount is totally ineffective in deeper areas, though.
Like Kobbie, he is a good straight line carrier to help United quickly turn the ball over and has a decent expansiveness in his passing.
But regardless, it should be a last resort to play him deeper.
Like Kobbie, he is a good straight line carrier to help United quickly turn the ball over and has a decent expansiveness in his passing.
But regardless, it should be a last resort to play him deeper.
Both are capable of affecting the game in advanced areas. They are small space navigators, and Kobbie in particular, an expert solution-creator.
We saw glimpses of this vs Fulham, with N. Mazraoui & D. Dalot playing reverse passes into the pockets where one ofā¦
We saw glimpses of this vs Fulham, with N. Mazraoui & D. Dalot playing reverse passes into the pockets where one ofā¦
ā¦Mount/Mainoo/Fernandes would be occupying.
Below is one such example of Kobbie Mainoo receiving a reverse pass from Diogo Dalot in the space between the Fulham winger and the FB.
Below is one such example of Kobbie Mainoo receiving a reverse pass from Diogo Dalot in the space between the Fulham winger and the FB.
That being said, as far as Mount is concerned, this is the extent of his on-ball influence in the final third.
He has been falsely attached to a label that he is supposed to be a creator, someone to unlock a defence ā this is simply not his game.
Mount is a final third runner.
He has been falsely attached to a label that he is supposed to be a creator, someone to unlock a defence ā this is simply not his game.
Mount is a final third runner.
Mountās most noteworthy quality in the final third is his ability to attack space: arriving late, providing [decoy] runs for teammates or offering a cutback option.
An advanced creator actively seeks to be the primary ball handler in the final third ā Mount does not.
An advanced creator actively seeks to be the primary ball handler in the final third ā Mount does not.
Mainooās influence in the final third is different. Mainoo is not a runner, nor is he an advanced creator. He is a solution-creator, and combines both individualism and his associative play to find solutions.
A la Wolves (A) last season, he can take 2/3 players out ofā¦
A la Wolves (A) last season, he can take 2/3 players out ofā¦
ā¦the game & slot it into the far corner.
Alternatively, he can use his high cognitive + tech levels to manipulate a 2v2/3v3 situation to unlock a defence.
ā¦or utilise another one of the many other solutions in his arsenal.
High level solution-creator = difference maker.
Alternatively, he can use his high cognitive + tech levels to manipulate a 2v2/3v3 situation to unlock a defence.
ā¦or utilise another one of the many other solutions in his arsenal.
High level solution-creator = difference maker.
Off the ball, Mount is second to none. An undeniable tenacity and energy that makes him incredibly valuable to Manchester United out of possession.
Not just energetic, but an intelligent presser too, understanding the triggers of when to press, when to hold fire.
Not just energetic, but an intelligent presser too, understanding the triggers of when to press, when to hold fire.
For a United team that last season in Mountās absence that struggled to win duels & 2nd balls across the pitch, his fitness is key.
VS Fulham, he headed an aggressive 4-2-4 press alongside B. Fernandes, which settled into a 4-4-2 block when Fulham advanced into the United half.
VS Fulham, he headed an aggressive 4-2-4 press alongside B. Fernandes, which settled into a 4-4-2 block when Fulham advanced into the United half.
Now, Kobbie Mainoo on the other hand, is a drop off from Mount in intensity levels, unable to lead a press as effectively as his peer.
One of Kobbieās few weaknesses is the lack of intensity he covers ground with, and his availability poses a question for Ten Hag: who starts?
One of Kobbieās few weaknesses is the lack of intensity he covers ground with, and his availability poses a question for Ten Hag: who starts?
Whilst I would argue that Kobbie has far more bearing than Mount on Unitedās way of playing with the ball, Mount has significant influence in how United play w/o it.
Bruno Fernandesā presence means the two have to jostle for position at LCM, and it is a positive problem to have.
Bruno Fernandesā presence means the two have to jostle for position at LCM, and it is a positive problem to have.
As talented as Kobbie is, he does need his minutes managing. To preserve his longevity, preserve his athletic attributes, he cannot be starting 50/60 games a season at the age of just 19.
We have seen the impact it has had on other young players physically, i.e Pedri.
We have seen the impact it has had on other young players physically, i.e Pedri.
This is why Mountās presence in the squad is so vital, not just for what he can offer on the pitch, but to aid Kobbieās development, to help him avoid burn-out, over-reliance + ultimately injury.
Of course, this depends on Mountās own fitness, which has been a notable concern.
Of course, this depends on Mountās own fitness, which has been a notable concern.
If Mount can stay fit across the course of the season, do not be surprised if he takes a significant amount of minutes at LCM.
It should not warrant any outrage, it should instead warrant praise that we are handling our prized possession in Kobbie with such a degree of care.
It should not warrant any outrage, it should instead warrant praise that we are handling our prized possession in Kobbie with such a degree of care.
With a defensive midfielder signing seemingly imminent, and the clear want from Erik ten Hag to have a ādestroyerā profile, having two connectors like Mount & Mainoo who can take ball responsibility and aid progression through the thirds is absolutely imperative.
The most likely signing for United in midfield is Manuel Ugarte.
A player that has a high defensive activity, is front-footed & aggressive, but rather safe & conservative on the ball, so having this offset with verticality + intent with Mount & Mainoo is a positive dynamic.
A player that has a high defensive activity, is front-footed & aggressive, but rather safe & conservative on the ball, so having this offset with verticality + intent with Mount & Mainoo is a positive dynamic.
But to replicate that dynamic across an entire season, you need more than one connector.
You cannot just call upon Mainoo to do that role the entire season, nor can you call upon Mount to do it for the same allotted time.
That is why it is important to have both in the squad.
You cannot just call upon Mainoo to do that role the entire season, nor can you call upon Mount to do it for the same allotted time.
That is why it is important to have both in the squad.
I hope reading this was useful in understanding both Mount & Mainooās profiles and how they are both of high importance to the squad.
Please let me know your thoughts, and if you agree/disagree with anything raised.
Thank you for reading! š«”ā¤ļø
Please let me know your thoughts, and if you agree/disagree with anything raised.
Thank you for reading! š«”ā¤ļø
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