Kobbie Mainoo: Difference between revisions

Mainoo is primarily a [[central midfielder]] who is also capable of playing as a [[defensive midfielder]] and [[attacking midfielder]].<ref name="position">{{cite news|last=Unwin|first=Will|title=Local hero: Kobbie Mainoo bringing cheer at troubled Manchester United|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/dec/01/local-hero-kobbie-mainoo-bringing-cheer-at-troubled-manchester-united|newspaper=The Guardian|location=London|date=1 December 2023|access-date=2 February 2024}}</ref> An intelligent and composed player, he excels in driving the ball forward, using his [[Dribbling#Association football|dribbling]] skills to navigate through tight spaces and evade defenders.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Clarke|first=Adrian|url=https://www.premierleague.com/news/3905433|title=How Mainoo has brought control to Man Utd's midfield|publisher=Premier League|date=22 February 2024|access-date=29 May 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Bate|first=Adam|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11096/13082805/kobbie-mainoo-s-manchester-united-magic-explained-how-does-the-teenager-find-time-and-space-that-others-cannot|title=Kobbie Mainoo's Manchester United magic explained: How does the teenager find time and space that others cannot?|website=Sky Sports|date=19 March 2024|access-date=29 May 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Manship|first=Jack|url=https://totalfootballanalysis.com/teams/england/england-2024-overlooked-data-analysis-statistics|title=England 2024: Overlooked players - data analysis|website=totalfootballanalysis.com|date=19 March 2024|access-date=29 May 2024}}</ref> Former Manchester United defender [[Rio Ferdinand]] has compared his style of play to that of [[Clarence Seedorf]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Smith|first=Emma|last2=Stone|first2=Simon|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68176430|title=Wolves 3–4 Man Utd: Kobbie Mainoo continues rise to stardom with 'dream' winning goal|website=BBC Sport|date=2 February 2024|access-date=2 February 2024}}</ref> Manager [[Erik ten Hag]] has praised his ability to "quickly adapt to high levels", as well as his willingness to progress and develop as a player.<ref>{{cite web|last=Peach|first=Simon|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/erik-ten-hag-kobbie-mainoo-manchester-united-england-lisandro-martinez-b2520625.html|title=Erik ten Hag expects Kobbie Mainoo to handle the hype after star England debut|work=The Independent|date=29 March 2024|access-date=30 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Hemingway|first=Rob|url=https://www.eurosport.com/football/premier-league/2023-2024/erik-ten-hag-exclusive-manchester-united-boss-opens-up-on-kobbie-mainoo-and-alejandro-garnacho-incre_sto10001992/story.shtml|title=Erik ten Hag exclusive: Manchester United boss opens up on Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho 'incredible progress'|publisher=Eurosport|date=2 February 2024|access-date=2 February 2024}}</ref> Pundit and former United midfielder [[Paul Scholes]] praised him, saying that "Just love the way he receives the ball, the calmness, the awareness of what's around him, and of course big goals in big games."<ref name="SkySports"/>