Hello, this is Mohamed (@MoeSquare on Twitter). I've been writing about football since the mid 2010s for numerous outlets including The Ringer, The Athletic, Statsbomb, Scouted Football, and more. As well, I'm the author of two historical series: - Football Flashbacks - Golden Boys of Yesteryear
My goal with this channel is to provide quality analysis on today's game, as well as historical work when possible. I hope you all enjoy.
As an arsenal fan I have to say Mainoo from the small amount of games ive seen him in has a high footballing IQ for this age and will no doubt be a baller as a 8 going forward . He has great ball carrying and passing ability and he can dictate dictate the tempo of the game knows when to slow things down and retain the ball or go forward and creates scoring chances for his teammates. He has great vision and fairly precise distribution.On a defensive contributions level he is timely with interceptions and tackles. His adaptability to different positions is also on a ridiculous level and has bags of agility in tight half spaces as well as amazing composure for this age. I cant see him failing at united he seems to be getting better and better in every game I see him in and doesn't shy away in difficult games and big games . United just need a certified 6 really like Amadou Onana which I hope arsenal can get.
Please he still has a long way to reach the level of Seedorf or Pogba but he has the potential,right now I would say he's similar to Moussa Dembélé of Tottenham Spurs.
with last season its been really difficult with the likes of wan bissaka evans and maquire behind him cuz of all the injuries.... but with some new signings already done and maybe (hopefully) a Ugarte behind him aswell as a de ligt and martinez i can only imagine how much more confident he will be. i have high hopes for him and united this season.
I'm a Utd fan and I do think Mainoo is already an excellent footballer who will just get better, but I do think some pundits can go over the top with their praise not just for him but for a lot of other players, but they are paid to hype the game up, it's the sport that they report on and which they make their money from so I guess it's understandable...
Nice video that seems to be a fair assessment. As someone who watched most of Man Utd's games last season it was clear that he is special and even if he stayed as good as he is now he is still a fantastic player that offers things no one else at the club currently can. I hope he develops physically to become more powerful and athletic - at the moment he nearly always plays at walking pace, kind of like a Pirlo or Carrick, and it is rare to see him sprint and I believe he lacks the energy to cover as much ground as others - hopefully this is something that will develop. I think we'll see him further forward this season and I have faith in his ability to add more creative, progressive passing to his game.
I'm a huge Mainoo fan but I try not to see him unrealistically. He's got a pretty high ceiling, being already great at things that usually take players many years to learn is a blessing and a curse. It could mean that once he sures up the weaker areas of his game he becomes an elite player. But I'm also afraid that he might have already come close to his peak without the athletic gifts and killer instinct that a lot of prodigious and raw talents have. He doesn't really show as much willingness to get on the ball as you'd want from a player of his skillset and maybe thats something that will change with age and experience or maybe thats just who he is. Regardless, I think he'll be a mainstay in top flight football for his whole career, though I'm not ready to make the bet that he'll be a generational player. If I had to make a prediction I'd say he'll be a very good player for united for a long time but maybe not quite live up to his full potential. That being said, I will always be rooting for him and will happily eat my words if he fulfills his potential.
Appreciate it! I've heard his first name pronounced both ways so that's why I ended up saying it wrong. Will try to limit mispronunciations going forward👍
😂😂😂😂 Negativity found it's way. United made him, they didn't recruit him, so if they were to destroy him with the time he has spent at United he wouldn't have made it this far. So please keep your Negativity
Before I even watch this video. How can anyone who actually watches football even have the hall to call Kobbie “ overrated or overhyped”. Kobbie Mainoo is a generational talent, stats or not.
Kobbie Mainoo is neither a prospect nor a future star, he is the PRESENT. He starts, STARTS, for Manchester United and England. Kobbie Mainoo is, who knows what he could be, the sky is the limit if this is where he is less than a year into his professional career playing senior mens football, but Kobbie already is, not could be, but is.
Mainoo has the technical, physical, and tactical (iq) abilities to play as a DLP, B2B, and regista at an elite level. Rising stars abilities arent going to be represented in data, yet. EtHs system looks much more “secure” IP & OOP. If they get Ugarte, he’ll be able to get on the ball more and stamp his presence during games. Generational to international talent…
Nice video. I think the hype is definitely greater than what he's delivered so far men's football. This is mainly because England rarely produces silky players like this in the middle of the park.You're right about his physical development being a big determinant for how good he becomes. However, if you look at his youth level games, you'll see a player very capable of progressing the game as a passer, not just via dribbles. I expect this to start showing this season, especially as United, improve the technical floor of the overall team, and become better in possession.
It would've been interesting to look at his youth level games cause I've heard this before. I'll be real in not knowing how to evaluate players in youth leagues though
Really like the point about the different directions he can grow, and how his physical growth will at least partly inform which ways he grows. I keep forgetting how young he is! But on that point, I'm just not certain that giving him as much responsibility as Manchester United have is necessarily the best thing for his development. Especially in a season where expectations are greater than the talent in the squad. Can see why you're so pleased with this video, it might be your best yet!
That is definitely a fair point, and frankly can be extended to other young talents. I share similar worries about Barca's young guys and whether they'll burn out much earlier than typical aging curves would tell us
I blame Man U for all these football transfers atrocities,after pushing for Pogba for 120million Euro(90million Pounds) in 2016,which is equivalent to 300million Euros today. Was he Messi or Ronaldo then?
Mainoo is wonderful he is also supremely confident and mature player. Neves is more gattuso/kante than busquets/rodri. Wouldn't compare the two and more exciting they can play together particularly in a very talented wide open match. Like a tournament final. Enjoy their careers both will have long successful ones. Neves will win wherever he goes you can't teach effort like that.
The difference between J.Neves and other young players is the minutes he acumulated this season are over 4000minutes Champions League . Europa League , etc etc and he is always consistent .,he just doesnt score much because our coach force him to play has a 6 when he is naturally an 8
comment for the algorithm. Very interesting analysis. I would prefer you talking more stable and louder. When you go to deep with your voice it's a bit tiring to listen to, at least for me. thanks for your efforts in this video, was looking for something like this to explain to my friends how João Neves is!
Will try and take these comments in mind for next time. Sadly, my voice isn't super great for video narration but I'll try to make the experience a bit better at least!
João Neves would be worth more than gold to this Man Utd team, trust me he is ready to play together with Bruno Fernandes but for Man City where they have so many top quality midfielders I'm afraid Guardiola wouldn't even let him play despite imo him being ready to play in the premier league.
Great video, he seems really good but bloody hell that is so much money. Interested to get your opinion on how you think he compares to caicedo at Brighton last year because it seems he is a similar profile, ie dribbly destroyer from deep who isn't the best passer.
