Manchester United star lacks “sense of danger” as position remains unclear

Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo has faced criticism from Liverpool legend Graeme Souness for several weaknesses in his game.

Mainoo, 19, has started 15 of the Red Devils’ 24 Premier League matches so far this season, yet in recent weeks has seen his position in United’s midfield appear less certain.

Used by Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim in a more attacking role of late, Mainoo has moved away from the middle of the park.

“He [Mainoo] was struggling a lot defending, as a midfielder,” Amorim told reporters following United’s 2-0 victory over FCSB in the Europa League. “Now more as a no.10, you can feel he’s playing on the ball nearer the box and near the box is really good with his small connections.

Starting several games in a row as part of United’s attacking front three, Amorim admitted last month that Mainoo is not yet “the finished product” a belief also held by Souness.

What did Souness say about Kobbie Mainoo?

Writing in his column for the Daily Mail, the three-time Champions League winner explained why Mainoo’s comments did not shock him.

“It didn’t surprise me to hear Ruben Amorim say that he felt Kobbie Mainoo was not ‘comfortable’ with the defensive side of his midfield game,” Souness wrote. “I said on these pages last June that of the young crop of England midfield players, Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton had a far better understanding of the defensive duties in that role than Mainoo.

“Mainoo catches the eye because he’s so good on the ball, drifts around, pops up on the left and the right, but he’s not got any sense of danger yet, and empties the midfield area too readily.”

Rounding off the section of his column focused on Mainoo, the former Liverpool captain admitted that Mainoo is not yet the full package. Despite that, Souness made clear that at just nineteen years old, if given proper support the young Englishman may yet become an exceptional player.

“Mainoo doesn’t yet understand all the disciplines of the position,” Souness stated. “But, he’s only 19. He can develop, with the proper guidance and instruction.”

An unclear future for Mainoo

With Mainoo starting three consecutive games as one of United’s attackers, Amorim had pointed to a necessity to find his player’s best positions. A statement that would also explain the Portuguese manager’s decision to start new signing Patrick Dorgu on the right side of the defence in Friday’s FA Cup game against Leicester.

In addition, there has also remained a lack of clarity over Mainoo’s long-term future. With the teenage star on a reported £20,000 a week salary, reports had emerged that Mainoo could be looking for a new deal at the club.

There remains the constant fear surrounding United’s financial issues, of which a sale of Mainoo would go some way to fix. This led to David Ornstein stating last month that Mainoo is not seen as “untouchable.”

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