He did ok

He was genuinely outstanding. Reminds me of Pirlo in the defensive third, but then past that he's like Iniesta.

Yes I am serious. His close control and agility is freakish like Iniesta's was.

For all the hype Bellingham gets, I am not sure Jude is as complete a CM as our Mainoo.

I thought he was very promising. Far more forward thinking that the likes of Hendo and Phillips and technically better than Gallagher while matching his energy.

Played his way into the Euro squad IMO.

As long as he came through it unscathed

Very good debut... Assured, good passing, good tackling, helped set up the first goal and should have had an assist with the lay off to Bellingham.

I understand that it can be dangerous to progress if a youngster gets hyped too early, but we should also be very excited... It's not often a potentially top class midfielder comes through the ranks.

He was very good. Tbh I thought he looked more comfortable playing for England yesterday than he does for us, which I guess isn't that surprising given the nature of our midfield.

I think that performance yesterday has probably secured him a place in the squad. I really liked the balance of that midfield.

comment by Devonshirespur (U6316)
posted 7 minutes ago
I thought he was very promising. Far more forward thinking that the likes of Hendo and Phillips and technically better than Gallagher while matching his energy.

Played his way into the Euro squad IMO.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I agree, think he's played his way into the squad. Sounds crazy to say after such little experience but he seems to fit right in.

Good to hear he did well for England. England has such a strong squad, I hope they can win the thing. Would be great to see Mainoo being a part of that even if he doesn't feature in every game at the Euros

comment by Devonshirespur (U6316)
posted 6 minutes ago
I thought he was very promising. Far more forward thinking that the likes of Hendo and Phillips and technically better than Gallagher while matching his energy.

Played his way into the Euro squad IMO.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I agree, I said on another thread when he was called up, regardless of Mainoo's age, his skillset is the most suited to playing alongside Rice within the list of players available.

I'd honestly be flabbergasted if he isn't starting come the Euros. We have a list of talented players in the final third, but we still don't have many with the composure and technique Mainoo gives us.

Good to hear he did well for England. England has such a strong squad, I hope they can win the thing.
__________________________________________

Not sure I agree with this, we're very reliant on Kane and Bellingham for goals. We're talking about an 18 year old starting in midfield and our defensive options are pretty abysmal.

I think he should probably be in the squad. Trent-Rice would be my starting midfield. Then you can have one of Gallagher/Hendo/Phillips as the more industrious option

Shades of Seedorf and Davids the way he plays. Very composed on the ball. Always looking for his team mates to pass to and plays with his head up.

A very good debut.

He was quality, both defensively and offensively.

Very promising performance, played a big part in winning the penalty for the first goal. Could have had a second assist with the high press, winning the ball and getting it to Bellingham who hit the shot over the bar. Also unlucky with his shot on goal.

18 years old, debut and looked like he'd been part of the set up for years.

Ideal midfield may depend on the opposition. For matches where we may have to withstand a lot of pressure and Southgate wants to sit deep and play on the counter, there are players who offer greater athleticism and also have a lot more big game experience. For games where we want to dominate possession and play through the opponent, Mainoo could be the best option.

He should be in the squad at least - and that's a huge achievement at his age and with so little senior experience, especially with an England coach who is quite conservative about introducing new players, as he likes to have as much continuity as possible in the squad.

comment by Luka Brasi 🔫 The Sons of Ange 'If we l... (U22178)
posted 6 minutes ago
Shades of Seedorf and Davids the way he plays. Very composed on the ball. Always looking for his team mates to pass to and plays with his head up.

A very good debut.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I thought it was more shades of Zidane and Xavi

Whether people rate Ten Hag or not, you can't take away the fact he's put Kobbie into the team (would have been earlier if not for injury), when seemingly no one in the England set up had seen the potential. Crazy he's not been in the U21s.

comment by Pride of the North (U6803)
posted 38 seconds ago
Whether people rate Ten Hag or not, you can't take away the fact he's put Kobbie into the team (would have been earlier if not for injury), when seemingly no one in the England set up had seen the potential. Crazy he's not been in the U21s.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Garnacho too. I know his debut was under Ole but Ten Hag has given him chances even when he could've easily played somebody more senior.

He just made his full debut for Argentina.

He played well and won motm, he’s given himself a really good chance of going to the Euros with his performance. Though I would have liked to have seen him and Rice playing in a more disciplined midfield set up, I thought we’ve been too open with the way the midfield has been in these two friendlies and against better teams we’d get really punished.

comment by Busby (U19985)
posted 4 minutes ago
comment by Pride of the North (U6803)
posted 38 seconds ago
Whether people rate Ten Hag or not, you can't take away the fact he's put Kobbie into the team (would have been earlier if not for injury), when seemingly no one in the England set up had seen the potential. Crazy he's not been in the U21s.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Garnacho too. I know his debut was under Ole but Ten Hag has given him chances even when he could've easily played somebody more senior.

He just made his full debut for Argentina.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes definitely

comment by Kobbie The King Mainoo (U10026)
posted 1 minute ago
He played well and won motm, he’s given himself a really good chance of going to the Euros with his performance. Though I would have liked to have seen him and Rice playing in a more disciplined midfield set up, I thought we’ve been too open with the way the midfield has been in these two friendlies and against better teams we’d get really punished.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I was surprised he was so advanced. Think he'd actually be at his best a bit deeper so he can dictate the play more and then bring the ball out when the opportunity arrises.

I guess it’s as good a time as any to experiment with the midfield set up ahead of the Euros, especially with who is available. But I think you can we why Southgate wants players like Henderson and Phillips in the squad to provide more organisation and discipline positionally when leave Rice and the defence exposed when playing this way.

*when we

interesting to see if one of Henderson, Gallagher, Mainoo doesn't make the squad or if Southgate decides that Gomez's flexibility means he can take one fewer defender

It's not even premature to say he's already our best central midfielder at United as well because he simply is.

Out of Mainoo, Casemiro Mctominay, Mount n Eriksen....he's the one player we can't afford to lose.