SUMMARY
- Kobbie Mainoo has been the revelation of the season for Manchester United.
- The 18-year-old has finally gotten his maiden national team call-up.
Kobbie Mainoo is Manchester United’s and England’s latest midfield hope. The 18-year-old has impressed with his skills on the ball and looks to be very keen on improving his games. In a short span of time, the youngster has become an integral part of the setup of ‘The Red Devils.’ The youngster, however, has found the next big leap in his career, with a maiden national team call-up arriving for the youngster.
šØš“ó §ó ¢ó „ó ®ó §ó æ Official: Kobbie Mainoo has been called up to the England first-team, the decision is to promote him. pic.twitter.com/6cx36PnsfG
ā Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 19, 2024
We have seen in the recent past that the English media often overhypes talent from its country. These players then often find themselves faltering on the big stage. Will Kobbie Mainoo too have a similar ending? It will be a matter of intense debate.
How do Kobbie Mainoo’s stats fare with other Manchester United midfielders?
The English youngster has had his breakout season in 23/24. Manchester United was very fortunate to unearth this gem from its academy ahead of the season. What has been more remarkable is the display of character by the young player.
Kobbie endured a knee injury during a pre-season match against Real Madrid and was sidelined for close to three months. The 18-year-old has made a remarkable comeback and is amongst England’s best-performing youngsters in the Premier League.
Statistically too, Kobbie Mainoo is on par with some very experienced midfielders in the club. The 18-year-old is capable of playing in various positions in the midfield during a game. Kobbie produces 0.4 key passes per 90 minutes in the PL, which is more than Sofyan Amrabat, Scott McTominay, and Facundo Pellistri.
šØšØ| OFFICIAL: Kobbie Mainooās goal vs Wolves has been nominated for Premier League goal of the Month for February.
pic.twitter.com/A64Bx6NPGtā centredevils. (@centredevils) February 29, 2024
The academy graduate has also shown steadiness in the defensive part of his game, averaging around 1.7 tackles per 90 in England’s first division. Kobbie Mainoo averages more tackles per 90 than McTominay, Pellistri, Amrabat, etc., and is only marginally behind Bruno Fernandes.
Offensively too, Kobbie has shone brilliantly. His average dribbles per 90 of 0.9 is more than any other Manchester United player. What is more appreciable about this fact is that the 18-year-old has more dribbles per 90 than the Portuguese Bruno Fernandes, who plays in a much more attacking position.
Kobbie Mainoo has great ball-carrying abilities and rarely loses the ball. Such types of midfielders can prove to be very crucial when attempting to break tight defenses. Kobbie is a gem for a midfielder for a manager like Erik ten Hag, who always looks to have control of the game.
Will Kobbie Mainoo fit in the England squad?
The 18-year-old was picked to play for theĀ ‘Three Lions’Ā on March 19, 2024. The youngster has revealed that it was in fact the England National Team’s assistant coach, Steve Holland, who informed him of this pleasant news. ‘The Three Lions’Ā will be facing Brazil and Belgium during the international break, where Kobbie Mainoo will be hoping to leave a mark.
However, it would definitely be difficult for the youngster to break into the starting eleven. The English side has some of the best midfielders in the world in the form of Jude Bellingham, James Maddison, Declan Rice, etc. Kobbie Mainoo will be hoping to make the most of any limited opportunities that England’s coach Gareth Southgate presents to him.
England generally plays with a 4-3-3 or a 4-2-3-1 formation, that can occasionally turn into a 3-4-3. The team likes to have the ball at its feet but is also very comfortable off the ball.
Based on his recent performances, it seems Declan Rice would be a definite candidate for the number 6 position if Southgate wishes to play a two-man midfield. The Arsenal midfielder would act as a deep-lying midfielder who could be paired up with a more ball-carrying midfielder.
š“ó §ó ¢ó „ó ®ó §ó æ Kobbie Mainoo: āI got a text from Steve Holland telling me to come and meet him at reception, and he just told me Iāve been called up, and Iām going to be training with the squad for the weekā¦ā.
āI donāt think itās really sunk in yet, but Iām excited!ā. pic.twitter.com/iG4D0yiTYq
ā Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 19, 2024
This is where Kobbie Mainoo can prove to be useful. He would compliment Declan Rice perfectly, which could immensely benefit the English side. Additionally, in a three-man midfield, Kobbie and Declan can play almost together, with a midfielder like Jude playing in a more advanced role.
However, it seems difficult for Kobbie Mainoo to slot right into the English midfielder. Gareth Southgate is a man who has his favorites and would likely play a Jordan Henderson or a Conor Gallagher, with Jude playing in a secondary striker position.
Regardless, it will be a time that Kobbie will cherish for the rest of his life. He would be hoping to enjoy every moment of it and learn from some of the legends of the game. The 18-year-old now needs to be patient with his opportunities and work on improving his soccer even more.
