One Chelsea legend has been stunned by an underperforming Manchester United star who he thinks is a ‘shadow’ of his former self.
Manchester United have managed just two wins from their first seven games of the season, with the only successes coming against Chelsea and Burnley.
Ruben Amorim’s men needed the help of an early dismissal and a last-gasp penalty to scrape through those victories.
After last season’s struggles, United were in need of a strong start, but their performances have once again fallen short.
A 3-1 loss to Brentford has turned up the heat on Amorim, with increasing questions over his approach and whether he can steer the club back on track.
Chelsea legend stunned by underperforming United star
Kobbie Mainoo is still yet to start a Premier League game for United this season and it seems like Amorim does not trust the youngster to play deeper.
He came off the bench in the latest game against Brentford but failed to impress and Chelsea legend John Obi Mikel is stunned at the midfielder’s situation.
“What has happened to Kobbie Mainoo? What has happened to that kid? What has happened to that kid? Doesn’t fancy him. I watched him when he came on the pitch,” he said on The Obi One Podcast.
“[He is] a shadow of who he was when he burst into the scene. A shadow of who he was, Kobbie Mainoo. Was at fault for the second goal or [the] third goal.
“He looked heavy. He looked like he doesn’t know what he’s doing, Kobbie Mainoo.”
Mainoo’s problems are simple
Mainoo has played a total of 100 minutes in the Premier League this season. What happened to him? He is not trusted like he was before.
Mikel’s comments seem to be overanalysing something that has a much simpler answer. The Academy graduate brings most of his qualities on the ball. If you want a roadrunner, someone who will chase the ball for 90 minutes, you should pick Manuel Ugarte.
That is a role that would have also meant that players like Paul Scholes sat on the bench. Scholes himself believes that Mainoo was better at 19 than he was at that age.
Mainoo’s biggest problem right now is a lack of trust and minutes, if he is given those, he would be able to show the levels he has beforehand.
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