Kobbie Mainoo has found life under Ruben Amorim difficult and Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt have discussed his future at Manchester United.
The midfield situation at Manchester United is in a difficult period currently, underperforming players such as Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte have been favoured in the midfield double pivot.
Kobbie Mainoo has been left out of the starting eleven numerous times now, and the player felt a loan move was needed for his career to progress last summer.
The club did not proceed with the move. Mainoo was left at the club, which has failed to provide him with first-team football as of late.
On the podcast, The Good, The Bad, and The Football, Class of ’92’ graduates Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt commented on the Mainoo situation and believe there is still hope for him under Ruben Amorim.
“For me, he’s an 8 or a 10”
Butt, whose credibility and experience in the midfield is unwavering, believes Mainoo should be played higher up the pitch, and not in a midfield two.
“For me, he’s an 8 or a 10 – higher up the pitch – not in a two, and certainly not in a two with someone else who can’t cover ground.”
Mainoo’s ability to get around the pitch is one of his few flaws; this limits him from acting in a midfield two, especially in a role that requires a lot of mobility.
“I don’t think he’s ever going to fit in a midfield two,” continued Butt. “If he’s in a three, he’d definitely be one of the advanced two. It’s said he hasn’t got the legs to go box-to-box, but I think he has the legs to burst over 10–15 yards. He can accelerate past players.”
However, many believe he still has a role in Amorim’s unconventional system, a player with the agility and stamina of Carlos Baleba would pair perfectly with Mainoo, who is currently seen as an alternative to the creative brilliance of Bruno Fernandes.
“He needs the right partner… I’m not sure that person is at the club”
Scholes holds the status as one of the greatest midfielders of all time, dazzling Old Trafford for many years, and his reputation spreads to his profession in punditry.
Scholes believes the right partner for the double-pivot for many to play in is not at the club currently, and will therefore need to be signed.
“He needs the right partner… Nicky worked with him as a kid and will know more, but he’s a central midfielder who needs the right person next to him. I’m not sure that person is at the club,” added Scholes.
Read More: “My expectation…” – What Manchester United players have said about Senne Lammens starting vs Chelsea
As said previously, the perfect signing to partner Mainoo would be Baleba, whom the club has been negotiating for some time now.
However, the asking price from Brighton is too high currently, and may entice United to look elsewhere for that ideal signing.
Make sure to follow UtdDistrict on X, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok to never miss out on any of our Manchester United content. Our podcast, What the Devil?, is streamed live every Thursday at 12:30 pm (BST) on the United View YouTube channel.