Erik ten Hag explained a unique trait Kobbie Mainoo has after his Manchester United debut in 2023 and Ruben Amorim could do with it now.
Kobbie Mainoo broke through into the Manchester United first-team under Erik ten Hag, making his Premier League debut in November 2023.
He was one of the best players against Everton and became a consistent feature in Amorim’s midfield alongside Casemiro.
After his winner in the FA Cup final, the Academy graduate played in Euro 2024 with England and started in the final defeat to Spain.
But since Ruben Amorim took charge at Old Trafford the 20-year-old has not been a consistent starter, and he even asked to go out on loan for this season. That request was rejected, and Mainoo now has to try and push his way back into the United team.
Ten Hag explained unique Mainoo trait after United debut in 2023
Mainoo has been criticised by some for his lack of athleticism, which is useful in a midfield two, but he has some extremely strong qualities elsewhere.
Just a couple of weeks after Mainoo’s first-team debut in 2023, Ten Hag explained one of Mainoo’s unique traits which stood out for him.
“His scanning. It always looks like he has time,” the former United boss told reporters of the then-18-year-old talent.
“Because of his scanning, he is running free and then scanning to see the options and then make the right decisions. He can delay, he can speed up and he makes the right decisions.”
Amorim could do with Mainoo’s scanning in midfield
Amorim’s system doesn’t place a heavy emphasis on midfielders carrying the play forward, partly because he usually deploys only two players in the deeper roles.
Against a midfield three, thriving in those central areas often requires exactly what Ten Hag highlighted in Mainoo, vision and constant scanning to identify the right spaces.
Although Amorim generally prefers his team to build play through the wide areas, there’s still a need for variation and alternative solutions.
With Mainoo seemingly set for a more consistent role in deeper positions this season, his awareness, scanning, and ability to pick out the right passes could prove crucial both for his own development and the team’s progression.
The United boss has previously mentioned how he wants his team to be able to slow things down when necessary. In order to do that, you need players who know when and where to do that.
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