The Truth About Kobbie Mainoo
Decoding Kobbie Mainoo: 6, 8, or 10?
A Misunderstood Player
The 19-year-old seems misunderstood by football fans. Is he the deep-lying 6 who sits back, dictates play, and anchors the team as they progress? Or is he better suited to a more advanced role as a left-sided 10, using his ability to manipulate space and score from the left pocket? Some fans seem to already place him on a pedestal, viewing him as a solution to United's midfield challenges. But is that expectation realistic at this stage of his development?
Let’s investigate these views. Before diving deeper, it is appropriate to profile him first.
Strengths: Physicality and Composure
Kobbie oozes composure on the ball, particularly in tight spaces and under pressure. This is achieved through constant scanning—which helps him plan escape routes, either via passing or dribbling—and his physicality, characterised by a stiff arm, strong legs, and carrying power. He possesses a higher level of physical and mental strength compared to most in his age bracket. United have not had a player capable of threading the needle in midfield as such since Paul Pogba. Being the only player with this ability in midfield, opposing clubs have recognised his importance and set up pressing traps for him (Brighton and Liverpool, most notably). Consequently, he occasionally finds himself isolated upon receiving the ball and is stripped of possession.
Passing Range and Development
However, there is another way for him to escape these pressing traps, which brings us to his passing range. Kobbie is well capable of short passes in tight areas and progressive, line-breaking passes. As it stands, his small-space dribbling and short passing are his biggest strengths. However, against well-organised teams, these attributes are not always effective enough to escape pressure.
This season, his passing range has shown signs of development, especially with long switches. Even before Ten Hag's sacking, Kobbie seemed to have been instructed to increase the frequency of his long passing. When outnumbered on one side of the pitch, rather than keeping it short and inviting pressure with closed lanes for line-breaking passes, he now attempts to switch it long—and he is mostly successful. His technique will require refinement, as the ball sometimes spends too long in the air or is slightly under-hit.
Defensive Strengths and Limitations
Kobbie is defensively strong in small spaces but often struggles during transitions, when required to defend large spaces. He lacks the engine to cover these areas quickly. This limitation is not exclusive to him, as not all players are gifted with this athletic quality. However, he is often caught out because of systemic issues in United’s play, which we will touch upon later.
Kobbie as a 6: An Incomplete Regista
From this analysis, it’s evident that Kobbie fits within the archetype of a 6 due to his duelling, composure, and passing—which is still developing. He can be described as an incomplete regista—a type of deep-lying playmaker. A controller (or regista/metronome/conductor) dictates their team's play, deciding the speed, rhythm, and flow of the game. They are exceptional decision-makers, knowing when to slow the game down, when to accelerate, when to retain possession, and when to launch an attack. Controllers typically possess remarkable passing range, high passing volume, and frequent touches on the ball.
Potential as a 10
Kobbie also demonstrates qualities of a 10 when considering his ball-carrying and finishing abilities in the left half-space. On the rare occasions he has operated in this position, he has generated some threat with his carrying, especially in very tight spaces. However, he has never been officially deployed in this role, indicating it is an area of untapped potential.
Best Role: An All-Round 8
Upon analysing Kobbie as a 6, we observe gaps in his on-ball decision-making and athletic limitations off the ball, which hinder his ability to consistently excel in this role against well-organised opponents. As a 10, he shows significant promise, but excluding him from the first and second phases of play would mean United losing a player with a unique and valuable skillset in those areas.
It wouldn’t be wrong to say that Kobbie is a player capable of contributing across all three phases of play—an all-phase 8—under the right conditions. These conditions include pairing him with a midfield partner who complements his weaknesses, such as defending large spaces, executing more expansive passes, and exhibiting some level of control. On top of that, United should establish a structure that minimises situations requiring him to cover large distances.
Potential Signings to Aid or Complement Kobbie
Some potential signings are Manuel Locatelli, Aurelien Tchouaméni, Bruno Guimarães, Carlos Baleba, and Frenkie de Jong. This lead to an uncommon opinion, but Kobbie should serve as an established controller’s understudy, as this would help him develop closer to his full potential. In terms of balance, Frenkie and Tchouaméni stand out when looking to remould the current midfield setup. The former is a world-class all-rounder and controller, while the latter is a defensive powerhouse with excellent passing range. It is perfectly acceptable for Kobbie not to be a starter in this setup; in fact, this will benefit his long-term development. However, this might confuse some fans who have prematurely elevated him to a status he is yet to attain.
Conclusion
Kobbie Mainoo is a player of immense potential who offers versatility across midfield roles. He has qualities that align with both a 6 and a 10, with his current skill set and physical profile making him best suited as an all-round 8, capable of influencing all phases of play. With careful development, the right midfield partner and mentor, and a system that mitigates his weaknesses, Kobbie could reach world class levels. Therefore, fans must temper their expectations and understand that his development is a gradual process, and patience will be rewarded with a well-rounded, top-class midfielder.
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