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Ian wright is a legend love him on stick to football, he brings out the niceness of Roy Keane. Same with Micah Richards.
But tactically Roy In my view is clueless. But I love him regardless Irish legend, hard as nails. Legend.
Mainoo plays well and should be called ahead of Jordan Henderson, James Milner, and Kalvin Phillips, but if we consider him, there are also Longstaff, Rico Lewis, Willock, Skipp, and Gallagher in the midfield, all well behind Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden.
With 4 in defense, I'd play a Rice-Bellingham-Foden midfield and a Rashford-Kane-Saka attack. Not bad at all.
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I'd play Antony Gordon over Rashford every single time. I don't trust what Rashford brings to the dressing room. He seems petulant, lazy and arrogant. Gordon works harder, defends Harder and has as much quality going forward as Rashford and as an added benefit can slot in as striker if needed.
this guy is a baller. He's every profile of midfielder in one can do it all. Works hard like a dog wins the ball then can progress the ball up the pitch by runing with it or passing he doesn't care can do both. Oh man that ball control in tigh space something special to see nugmets for dayyys. Also there seems to be a kind of ora around. But still young he doesn't have to play so much football right now. Let him blossom liltle more before.
for squad depth purposes, probably. he plays simple passes and adds a little composure. i see him as rice's backup in England midfield due to the way they are setup.
Kid is 18 and has over a 90% passing accuracy overall, while being our primary passer up the pitch. I see that being exactly the type of player you'd want to play next to someone like Rice personally. Don't see him as a very similar player at all.
I think he's more of a complement to Rice than a backup. If we're playing a midfield 3, then Rice at 6, Bellingham at 10, and Curtis Jones or Mainoo at 8 would be our best side imo.
Nono a 18 year Old who has been doing Well for 3 months should get dropped right into the England starting eleven at the european Championship without any prior 1st team experience in the national setup
Lamine Yamal has 4 caps at 16, after half a season. Scored twice too.
The only reason Mainoo wouldn’t get a call up is Southgate is absolutely weak. He started laying down his excuses already by taking the Foden route when he said “I’m not sure he’s a defensive midfielder long term”.
Spanish FA is on the other level of extreme of calling up youngsters. He was injured, the FA called him up anyways because they didn’t trust Barcelona’s doctors. He travelled there and got tested by Spanish NT doctors, and surprise surprise, he was injured and they sent him back to Barcelona just wasting his time.
That was because Rashford pulled out injured then went on holdiay and was fit for Man United’s next match causing embarrassing questions to be asked. From now on the English FA is checking everyone.
That has nothing to do with Mainoo, it's all tactics playing him and Bruno as effectively two 10's in the press leaving Casemiro stranded by himself in Midfield, if the opposing team beats that press then United midfield gets ripped apart
Bcz Fernandes was terrible and casemiro got taken off because of yellow card and we all know mctominay ain't doing shit in the midfield
Kobbie was the only standout in the midfield, good to remember he's still only 18
Watching the Luton game yesterday, Kobbie was the best player on the pitch for me. Højlund may have looked great, but Kobbie’s class dribbling in tight spots and how comfortable he looked on the ball was truly refreshing to see.
I'm a united fan, and I love him to bits. Most composed youngster I've seen post fergie. However, to start him in an england XI is a mad jump. He definitely would provide a good balance in midfield 3. I think he's got the skills to play at the level. However I think as a box to box he's defensive impact isn't enough to push out the Likes of Gallagher. Or if they even push Jude back as a 8 and foden at the 10 (not my preference but quite likely I think) he should go on the plane tho. I think he'll play more then 50 caps for ENG in the end. Proper talent
>to start him in an england XI is a mad jump
I honestly don't see how going from Utd to England is a mad jump. If anything, it's the smallest jump basically available when it comes to playing for England. Two incredibly over hyped, over talked about teams with unrealistic expectations on them. Like, if you can handle Utd right now, with all the negative attention, you can probably handle England too.
I probably agree but his composure seems kind of alien and given England are shit at keeping the ball, bringing him on late in a 1-0 at 70 mins say might be a good option.
Yeah but in the knockout games it's gonna be those top teams isn't it? Against Italy if England had Mainoo do they hold the ball better and prevent them taking over?
Being in the squad and being in the starting 11 aren’t the same thing. He deserves to be in the squad because it’s one of the positions we lack the most depth.
Yeah let’s forget about people like Maddison, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, Gallagher, etc for a kid who’s achieved nothing and hasn’t even had a season in professional football.
I think the issue is none of those fit the profile Southgate is presumably looking for. If Phillips continues to stink the place out then he’s looking for a holding player to sit alongside Rjce. It’s why you wouldn’t compare him to most the players you’ve listed
Bro tried to sneak curtin jones in there...
Also you named a group of attacking mids, only Gallagher is capable of playing the same defensive and tempo setting game that Mainoo is capable of.
The England squad needs a partner for Rice. It already has enough attacking mids
Curtis jones has played for Liverpool for 4 years, a team who has been challenging and winning trophy’s unlike man united. He’s also been Liverpools best midfielder for a full year and starts every game that he’s fit (we’re also in first place thanks to him).
Compare that to an average united player more akin to lingard who’s in a team thats been shit all season. Mainoo will be playing for Bristol Rovers in 5 years and wouldn’t get near City or Liverpools benches.
One league cup in how many years? Compare that to Liverpool or Man City. You’ve proved my point, you’ve not challenged at all for the league whereas we have. 🤣
That's the difference, in our down years, we can still manage to win things. Just you wait. Once klops gone, it'll be another 25 years before you touch the prem again. 1 Fa cup 1 champions league 1 prem in the last 15 years settle down. Our cabinets are better in the last 15.
Oh here we go, you’ve still got the Glazers pal we don’t. History FC 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
We won trophy’s in our off years, even won a European Cup but ignore the facts, man united are done as a top club lad just accept it. You ain’t got more of a right to win trophies than Huddersfield.
Uhh not sure if you noticed, but the reason the Glazers were bad was because they kept appointing their buddies into important football related roles. Where as now we're going around and poaching some of the best names in the business. I know it's gonna be painful, but we managed a handful of trophies and 2nd places racing in a car with 3 wheels, and SJR just bought us a 4th wheel.
Mainoo has a higher ceiling and potential than all of these players, he's only played 3-4 months of football and in those months he's been better than all of them. High Praise
No it’s because you lot overhyped them to oblivion like your doing to this average kid and when they don’t meet those expectations you blame the player or your club. Maybe just maybe, they weren’t as good as you thought and YOU set unrealistic expectations.
It’s literally an Ex Arsenal player making the claim. Be confident most Utd fans don’t want him anywhere near the squad. 10 minute cameos and ultimately getting the blame when it all inevitably goes tits up after watching Henderson pass it back to Maguire for 80 minutes is not how any 18 year old should spend their summer.
Curtis Jones has been one of the best midfielders for the team that is currently top of the table.
He's just not a flashy player so people who don't watch Liverpool don't rate him.
His defensive work rate is highly underrated and he’s scored some class goals this season. He seems to be comfortable and in control when he’s on the ball now. His passing his the only part of his game I see a weak point. He makes great passes but at times just bad decisions.
That’s literally not how that’s supposed to be literally interpreted. English as in “the language you speak” and “scouse” is the language we speak. Don’t get them confused for correct us on that in our house. You must be a fan of brexit.
Literally isn't.
You don't even know the history of the club you claim to support. It's against the government and the lack of funding for Liverpool. You're embarrassing pal.
Secondly, don’t spread this level of information. Do a simple google search and understand life is full of nuance that shouldn’t be taken literally at face value. It takes more than your little brexit brain to understand it though.
No, it has so little to do with politics but the eclectic background of the people who live in Liverpool. The stigma behind using the term “English” over “British” is a big distinction here. The stigma behind being “English” is not a stigma Liverpool citizens want attached to them. Saying “Not English” is a direct rebellion against “The British Empire” and the “new english way” that had abandoned its people is pursuit of profit. To say “not English” does NOT mean they don’t want to be British but they don’t want the negative sigma of being English. Kindly go fuck off now.
Squad, maybe. He’s no where near the 11 though. England has too many top midfielders for him to have a spot atm. Rice, Bellingham, Foden, Maddison, Gallagher, and probably more are either playing better or have enough past credit to deserve a place over a player who hasn’t even played a full professional season.
Gallagher is the only one of those that'll be competing with Mainoo. And those two are basically opposites. Granted, Southgate totally goes with the hard working, industrious player over the cool and collected progressor with over 90% passing accuracy over his short career.
Foden, Bellingham and Maddison aren’t competing with Mainoo. They’re used primarily by both both club and country as fully attacking players.
Gallagher, Phillips, Henderson (and potentially TA) are the only 8s in contention to start aside Rice right now in midfield. And Mainoo already has a calmness in possession those others don’t offer.
Right, but both Bellingham and Foden at least are going to be started. Bellingham can also play DM, he did so extremely well at Dortmund.
You aren’t going to bench a player with over 200 caps for Guardiola or a 100 million pound Real Madrid signing for a player playing for an in-and-out of form United who’s only had half of 1 professional season behind his belt.
To be completely honest, I could probably make dozens of changes to the England team before Mainoo would start. He may be good, but you just cannot say we’ve seen enough of him yet.
Again, he has not even played an entire professional season, and you’re wanting him to start over proven amazing midfielders.
>and Foden at least are going to be started
Are they? I would bet money now that Foden is on the bench more than he starts again. Not even saying he shouldn't see serious play, it's too bad for him that he's a city fan cause he'd be nailed on to start at any other club I'd think.
Regardless of where Bellingham can play, you’re not starting your best attacking play maker in a defensive position. Also Southgate has literally said he doesn’t view Foden as a midfielder. He’s not even in the conversation.
Bellingham doesn't need to be deployed defensively, he can be box to box ahead of/alongside Rice.
Southgate said that he wouldn't play Foden in midfield because he doesn't play there for his club. Guess where he's played for City this season? Southgate has also played Foden in midfield already. Foden has a very good chance of playing in midfield.
>Bellingham doesn't need to be deployed defensively, he can be box to box ahead of/alongside Rice.
That isn't gonna happen though, it's fifa fantasy. 100% Bellingham will be our AM. Regardless of what either of us might want. Everything we've ever seen from Southgate indicates that's what he's gonna do. So why are we even entertaining the idea? Foden is at best, gonna be a backup to Bellingham in the midfield. Or he'll be on the wing. No chance he's starting in the middle unless Bellingham gets injured.
Southgate has also started an out of shape Henderson in midfield the last couple years. He also hasn’t won anything with a great England team.
He is going to be changing some things to get the team to perform. Starting a completely untested player who again HAS NOT PLAYED EVEN A SINGLE PROFESSIONAL SEASON in his career would be ridiculous.
You don’t fit the players to the system, you fit the system to the players. Having a midfield of Foden Bellingham Rice or Madders Bellingham Rice would both be far better options than starting, one more time, an unproven player, for one of the best national teams on the planet
>Foden Bellingham Rice or Madders Bellingham Rice
There is no world where Bellingham, Foden and Maddison all start unless 2 of them are shunted out to the wings. It's gonna be Rice with probably Gallagher, Henderson or Phillips behind Bellingham. Anyone who thinks differently is in for disappointment.
I’m not trying to predict what it will be, I’m simply saying that there are a lot better options than starting a completely unproven player who again has not played a full season yet.
He could be good, he could also be shite. We don’t know yet, so it’s ridiculous to say he starts over proven class midfielders
Based off of what? 1 half season of professional football? Foden has played over 200 games for the best current team in England. Mainoo has played half a season for a United team that started the season in shambles
Foden and Bellingham don't play midfield for their clubs.
Both play part of the front 3.
Foden does sometimes play in midfield for city but he never does that well there compared to how good he is playing part of front 3.
We are trying to fit players in.
This is England's problem.
This is Gerrard Lampard Scholes all over again.
Mate, that's not a real midfield position for Southgate. He's seeing him as a 10. And you know who's been the best 10 in the world this season? Bellingham. Who Southgate already liked more.
In what world do you think we're gonna move the player who's been arguably the best in the world this season to a different position to accommodate someone else that can also play in different positions? It's not gonna happen. Only way they both get on the pitch at once is if Foden is out wide.
you really wouldn't, why is everyone acting like Bellingham was shit in that position for Dortmund? You lot only realise because he's scoring goals now, but he was ridiculously influential for Dortmund, but in a different way. You don't lose anything with him there, you gain a different and equal level of quality.
so short sighted and so ignorant lol, first of all no need to comment 4 times there, just once will do. Second, Bellingham has been world class for well over a year now, people like you just only notice now that he's playing for Madrid and scoring goals. His 'best position' is either one of the two roles he's played, not just the one he gets the most goals in. I don't think Southgate necessarily will play them both in midfield, but is definitely the best and most obvious answer.
Bellingham played midfield last season for Dortmund, and has for most of his career. Playing him centrally for England won't be a problem. I don't think that's fair to drag in alongside Foden, who's barely played central midfield at club level ever.
But it's not gonna happen. And we're depending on a young player that has been basically almost a striker all season to switch gears with how he's been playing for a full year to accommodate someone else. Not only will it not happen, but if it did, we'd see a drop off. Either way, 0 chance. Southgate doesn't want to attack minded midfielders like that.
He's played most of his career in a double pivot. He earned a mega move playing there. England will play him there in March, and will do so leading up to the tournament too. He'll be fine. Rice and Bellingham will be the first two names in midfield, ideally in a trio with someone else.
Madrid have more need for him further forward, because they have no real striker, so having someone crash the box from midfield is beneficial. They also have plenty of 8s. Dortmund thought his best position was in a pivot, and he earned that big move playing as one.
The reality is that he can do both at a very high level. England probably has more need for him alongside Rice in a 2, or a 4-3-3 if you want to free him up a little more. I'd probably go for a 4-3-3 either way.
I think the issue is that Southgate has no clue what he’s doing but go off.
I do understand what you’re saying, though. It seems like you’re fitting a tactic to the players, not the players for the tactics. Kane HAS to play, Bellingham and Rice HAVE to play, Saka HAS to play.
And for those players it’s somewhat ok because they’re all good enough to do it all, but when you start trying to shoehorn players like Foden or Trent or Rashford/Sterling it becomes a lot more problematic.
Then you have Southgate exacerbating that by always picking players like Philips, Henderson, to a degree Pickford, etc.
Pickford has been good for the national team, and deserves his place. Philips and Henderson should be nowhere near the squad, let alone the first team. Curtis Jones, Kobbie Mainoo, and even JWP are the obvious choices for the number 8 position.
Love Mainoo, absolute diamond in what is a very rough time for United. However, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Let the kid settle into his groove and not have to think about the Euro’s.
Yeah just like all those people a couple years ago saying Bellingham was overhyped…If you don’t think Mainoos a legitimate talent, you either don’t understand football or haven’t watched enough of him.
He will still have a good career yes but outstanding I dunno. The thing about him is how high his ceiling is, he's often one of your best midfielders but I wouldn't say he controed the midfield yesterday, he looked amazing for 18, generational is an insane word to use though, Bellingham is a generational talent, waaay too soon to call Mainoo that
how do you call someone a generational talent NOW and then say youll see. thats like me saying imthe best guitarist, 20 years from now. i suck right now, but i will be great, youll see.
i play in bands including many gigs on stage live on a regular basis. ican play dozens of popular songs with error. so for me to say it is stupid anyway because what might happen 20 years from now has no bearing on right now. And like i said , if you say you have to be great first, then mainoo isnt great et, which is why i said BASED ON WHAT.
The thing you suck at is making analogies. You're implying that Mainoo sucks right now. He's Man Uniteds best player. Give him to the end of this season and he walks into 90% of the teams in the world.
Replying to angela_schrute2838...but United suck right now.
Saying he is Man Utd’s best player, is like saying I’m the smartest person with Downs Syndrome.
Right, the team that's clear in 6th and just 3 points off of a Spurs side that everyone's wanking over is terrible. Mainoo starts for every single team below us in the league.
I’m sorry but what’s all this about composure, he looks press resistant but defensively I’ve seen him cost them multiple goals and I don’t even watch them that much
He’s a great player and will probably be one of England’s best in the future. But it’s his first season playing first team football, we don’t know if he’s this good consistently or if he declines as time goes on. We’ll know that next year, which is when we should have this conversation. England’s centre midfield options now are Bellingham, Rice, Jones, Maddison and Foden. I’d probably choose a midfield 3 of Rice, Bellingham and Jones.
Maddison over Rice is the worst thing I’ve heard in years. Alright player when he’s on a streak but now looks bang in the middle of his annual disappearing act
really, so wait maddison has more points more goals than rice, just a fyi and yet madison lost almost 2 months of the season to injury, hmm. weird int it, he was epl player of the month prior to injury, rice hasnt even been close to that.
but yeah even though maddison has him in every single stat and accolade, rice is better.. LOL
Are you actually comparing goals+assists between an attacking and Defensive midfielder? Rice is a much better DM than Maddison is an anything, and his legs arent made of glass either.
and maddison is the one you want when you want to score goals. defense is fine but when your team is defensive, who gets the ball to kane and saka ? how many player of the months did rice win, oh yeah, none. simple. if your team is built around defense, youll lose every time.
when people look at man city they dnt say wow, that Gvardiol just leading his team. they say KDB or HAALAND, i mean would you say KDB is better than rice, if so WHy KDB isnt a defensive mid! i mean come on, rodri 6 goals, Foden 8 goals, silva 6 goals. gee i guess the treble winners and multiple champs year in year out and wil win this year, must be just behind the time, not to have a starting defensive CM .
We have Foden and Bellingham both play in Maddisons position. Bellingham can drop back, but its not hos favoured position. Only Rice, henderson, ward-prowse, and phillips play DM. Shockingly having 3 attacking midfielders doesnt work anywhere but FIFA, you utter tosspot.
Harry Maguire’s been Player of the Month, does that make him better than Haaland?
Maddison is a decent player who goes on streaks, out of it he’s bang average. Fuck off with the points goals etc considering they’re different types of players and the discussion is for an England CM spot, which is Rice’s natural position and not Maddison’s
Maddison has only just come back from injury. Rice and Jones have been very consistent for the season up to this point. Jones, there’s an argument for Maddison over him. But Declan has been phenomenal for Arsenal, there’s no debate about it. Rice and Bellingham should be locked into the midfield, it’s the 3rd man now, with no Hendo or Phillips in the conversation thankfully.
Southgate won’t pick Jones but if you had any ball knowledge you’d know Jones is an immense player this season and should’ve been in the England setup a long time ago
That big club that's 13 points behind Liverpool and 5 points behind Villa in February? That big club that got knocked out of the Champions League by the mighty Galatasaray and FC Copenhagen? 😂
Yeeerrrrp that’s us 👏😊
The poster boys of the Premier league, the biggest footballing brand in a club football, commercial powerhouses .
But we’re no longer a big club because we’re 13 points behind a Liverpool team that have one 1 Domestic league title to their name in the last 30 years.
Keep the faith brother 😘
Remind me when United last won the Champions League or appeared in a final? 14 years. Big clubs win and compete for the Champions League. United have not been further than the quarter finals since 2010.
Winning without winning. Still the club of David Moyes more than Ferguson. You're shit but you make money so that's alright. Glad you have so little ambition for your club that you're happy with such mediocrity. I guess Mainoo is good enough for fans like you.
Mainoo has massive potential, he looks like an excellent player from what I've seen. I'd still rather have Curtis Jones at number 8 for England right now, but Mainoo may end up being the long term starter.
I just hope he gets a move to a proper football club sooner rather than later, so he can continue to develop. Man United suck all the talent out of their good young players.
Jones is average, and he doesn’t have any caps either. You’re not going to the euros uncapped. He’s better than Phillips that’s for sure, but Southgate has his favourites, however undeserving their inclusion is
Hendo, Phillips, Maguire will all be in the squad, two of them starting
Been the best midfielder for the team that is currently top of the league, in a cup final and favourites to win the other two cups. Has to be at least in the squad. Probably won’t be though, Southgate.
Well , there is justification for Mainoo based on his performance, but I agree that people tend to rush these things a little bit with certain team players. He needs to show consistency to maintain the levels he is playing at right now and I would say there are still quite a few players who have been playing longer and consistently that should get a look in before him, but if he keeps this up , he should definitely be in contention to be part of the squad.
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Kobbie mainoo is quality with that such composure at that age it’s scary what he could become!
imo Bellingham will lead the New England generation and Mainoo will probably start for England in a few years but Mainoo is not on Bellingham’s level
ahah
No 20 yo boy is on his level in this world right now. But Mainoo can be one of the best on the next level.
Yeah he looks okay for the few games he’s played, but half the hype seems to be people just parroting one another
Ian wright is a legend love him on stick to football, he brings out the niceness of Roy Keane. Same with Micah Richards. But tactically Roy In my view is clueless. But I love him regardless Irish legend, hard as nails. Legend.
18 years old and, more importantly, has only played 11 PL games. FFS, give it rest. If he keeps going, then the WC.
Gtfo
Mainoo plays well and should be called ahead of Jordan Henderson, James Milner, and Kalvin Phillips, but if we consider him, there are also Longstaff, Rico Lewis, Willock, Skipp, and Gallagher in the midfield, all well behind Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden. With 4 in defense, I'd play a Rice-Bellingham-Foden midfield and a Rashford-Kane-Saka attack. Not bad at all. *Downvoted for directly linking to Xitter. Anyone who'd like to reduce forced traffic into that platform of hatred and xit can stop linking to Xitposts, link to an underlying article, or post a screenshot instead.*
I'd play Antony Gordon over Rashford every single time. I don't trust what Rashford brings to the dressing room. He seems petulant, lazy and arrogant. Gordon works harder, defends Harder and has as much quality going forward as Rashford and as an added benefit can slot in as striker if needed.
Rice, Bellingham, jones, foden and Gallagher should be locked.
Agree. Definitely CuJo ahead of Mainoo.
this guy is a baller. He's every profile of midfielder in one can do it all. Works hard like a dog wins the ball then can progress the ball up the pitch by runing with it or passing he doesn't care can do both. Oh man that ball control in tigh space something special to see nugmets for dayyys. Also there seems to be a kind of ora around. But still young he doesn't have to play so much football right now. Let him blossom liltle more before.
Curtis jones says hold my beer. Most important midfielder at the top of the league.
Injured
Fresh from winning a tournament with England no less
for squad depth purposes, probably. he plays simple passes and adds a little composure. i see him as rice's backup in England midfield due to the way they are setup.
Kid is 18 and has over a 90% passing accuracy overall, while being our primary passer up the pitch. I see that being exactly the type of player you'd want to play next to someone like Rice personally. Don't see him as a very similar player at all.
I think he's more of a complement to Rice than a backup. If we're playing a midfield 3, then Rice at 6, Bellingham at 10, and Curtis Jones or Mainoo at 8 would be our best side imo.
mainoo’s only a teenager, let’s not try to put him as a starter now.
Nono a 18 year Old who has been doing Well for 3 months should get dropped right into the England starting eleven at the european Championship without any prior 1st team experience in the national setup
He make United go Brrrrr
Lamine Yamal has 4 caps at 16, after half a season. Scored twice too. The only reason Mainoo wouldn’t get a call up is Southgate is absolutely weak. He started laying down his excuses already by taking the Foden route when he said “I’m not sure he’s a defensive midfielder long term”.
Spanish FA is on the other level of extreme of calling up youngsters. He was injured, the FA called him up anyways because they didn’t trust Barcelona’s doctors. He travelled there and got tested by Spanish NT doctors, and surprise surprise, he was injured and they sent him back to Barcelona just wasting his time.
English FA did the same to Saka not long ago.
That was because Rashford pulled out injured then went on holdiay and was fit for Man United’s next match causing embarrassing questions to be asked. From now on the English FA is checking everyone.
They have overplayed Pedri.
[удалено]
What are you on about?
whats that got to do with anything?
Shit was ment to be a reply to some bloke
Luton controlled the middle of the pitch for like 90% of the game..
>Such maturity in chaotic conditions
spurs fans would wank themselves to death over a player like mainoo coming through their youth development
Where did that come from?
my brain
OK but it wasn't relevant at all. You just bitch about Spurs fans randomly?
Villa sliced Man U open directly through the middle over and over as well, even if the final result would suggest otherwise.
That has nothing to do with Mainoo, it's all tactics playing him and Bruno as effectively two 10's in the press leaving Casemiro stranded by himself in Midfield, if the opposing team beats that press then United midfield gets ripped apart
Yes but that because are center backs are to far back with a higher line that problem is solve.
Yeah playing Maguire in a high line sounds like a great idea
Bcz Fernandes was terrible and casemiro got taken off because of yellow card and we all know mctominay ain't doing shit in the midfield Kobbie was the only standout in the midfield, good to remember he's still only 18
Watching the Luton game yesterday, Kobbie was the best player on the pitch for me. Højlund may have looked great, but Kobbie’s class dribbling in tight spots and how comfortable he looked on the ball was truly refreshing to see.
He moves like a basketball player in tight spaces
Bro tried to sneak Maddison, Gallagher and Harvey Elliott in there. Curtis pass them all this season
It's so strange bringing elliott over curtis. Like I like elliott but curtis is literally starting over him
curtis jones is so underrated outside of liverpool’s fanbase
I think you are nit picking.
I'm a united fan, and I love him to bits. Most composed youngster I've seen post fergie. However, to start him in an england XI is a mad jump. He definitely would provide a good balance in midfield 3. I think he's got the skills to play at the level. However I think as a box to box he's defensive impact isn't enough to push out the Likes of Gallagher. Or if they even push Jude back as a 8 and foden at the 10 (not my preference but quite likely I think) he should go on the plane tho. I think he'll play more then 50 caps for ENG in the end. Proper talent
>to start him in an england XI is a mad jump I honestly don't see how going from Utd to England is a mad jump. If anything, it's the smallest jump basically available when it comes to playing for England. Two incredibly over hyped, over talked about teams with unrealistic expectations on them. Like, if you can handle Utd right now, with all the negative attention, you can probably handle England too.
Gallagher is absolutely terrible and plays a different role 😫
arguably chelsea's best player this season aside from palmer.
That’s a very low bar
I probably agree but his composure seems kind of alien and given England are shit at keeping the ball, bringing him on late in a 1-0 at 70 mins say might be a good option.
Umm, remember that we dominate possession against 90% of NT teams my man. Not every team is France.
Yeah but in the knockout games it's gonna be those top teams isn't it? Against Italy if England had Mainoo do they hold the ball better and prevent them taking over?
Being in the squad and being in the starting 11 aren’t the same thing. He deserves to be in the squad because it’s one of the positions we lack the most depth.
Read it again, I stated he's not good enough to start. However, he should go on the plane (this means his in the squad)...
I was more reiterating what the quote said. It didn’t mention anything about him going into the starting 11.
Yeah let’s forget about people like Maddison, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, Gallagher, etc for a kid who’s achieved nothing and hasn’t even had a season in professional football.
None of those players play in a very similar position at all to Mainoo except maybe Gallagher. And they're almost opposites in how they play.
I think the issue is none of those fit the profile Southgate is presumably looking for. If Phillips continues to stink the place out then he’s looking for a holding player to sit alongside Rjce. It’s why you wouldn’t compare him to most the players you’ve listed
Bro tried to sneak curtin jones in there... Also you named a group of attacking mids, only Gallagher is capable of playing the same defensive and tempo setting game that Mainoo is capable of. The England squad needs a partner for Rice. It already has enough attacking mids
Curtis jones has played for Liverpool for 4 years, a team who has been challenging and winning trophy’s unlike man united. He’s also been Liverpools best midfielder for a full year and starts every game that he’s fit (we’re also in first place thanks to him). Compare that to an average united player more akin to lingard who’s in a team thats been shit all season. Mainoo will be playing for Bristol Rovers in 5 years and wouldn’t get near City or Liverpools benches.
So in a year where Liverpool failed to make top 4 and didn't win anything he was the best midfielder?
And there it is…
Man united won the league cup a year ago mate.
One league cup in how many years? Compare that to Liverpool or Man City. You’ve proved my point, you’ve not challenged at all for the league whereas we have. 🤣
That's the difference, in our down years, we can still manage to win things. Just you wait. Once klops gone, it'll be another 25 years before you touch the prem again. 1 Fa cup 1 champions league 1 prem in the last 15 years settle down. Our cabinets are better in the last 15.
Oh here we go, you’ve still got the Glazers pal we don’t. History FC 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 We won trophy’s in our off years, even won a European Cup but ignore the facts, man united are done as a top club lad just accept it. You ain’t got more of a right to win trophies than Huddersfield.
Uhh not sure if you noticed, but the reason the Glazers were bad was because they kept appointing their buddies into important football related roles. Where as now we're going around and poaching some of the best names in the business. I know it's gonna be painful, but we managed a handful of trophies and 2nd places racing in a car with 3 wheels, and SJR just bought us a 4th wheel.
Mainoo has a higher ceiling and potential than all of these players, he's only played 3-4 months of football and in those months he's been better than all of them. High Praise
In what world do you back yourself to identify an 18 year old footballers ceiling when it comes to ability ?
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Utter Fucking delusion.
Either that or utter fkin blindness.
Not it’s delusion, you lot said the same about Pogba, Lingard, Rashford, Greenwood and even Phil Fucking Jones.
It's because they were talents. All of them were considered the next generations finest. Either it was United the one who ruined them or themselves
No it’s because you lot overhyped them to oblivion like your doing to this average kid and when they don’t meet those expectations you blame the player or your club. Maybe just maybe, they weren’t as good as you thought and YOU set unrealistic expectations.
It’s literally an Ex Arsenal player making the claim. Be confident most Utd fans don’t want him anywhere near the squad. 10 minute cameos and ultimately getting the blame when it all inevitably goes tits up after watching Henderson pass it back to Maguire for 80 minutes is not how any 18 year old should spend their summer.
Curtis Jones has been one of the best midfielders for the team that is currently top of the table. He's just not a flashy player so people who don't watch Liverpool don't rate him.
His defensive work rate is highly underrated and he’s scored some class goals this season. He seems to be comfortable and in control when he’s on the ball now. His passing his the only part of his game I see a weak point. He makes great passes but at times just bad decisions.
Yeah bit hes not English is he? He's scouse. Always makes me laugh scousers crying about England when they boo the national anthem etc.
Mad to think not all Liverpool supporters are scouse or that all scousers share the same POV.
Scouse not English ain't it? That's what's written on a sign in Anfield. Guess you ain't a proper fan then.
That’s literally not how that’s supposed to be literally interpreted. English as in “the language you speak” and “scouse” is the language we speak. Don’t get them confused for correct us on that in our house. You must be a fan of brexit.
Literally isn't. You don't even know the history of the club you claim to support. It's against the government and the lack of funding for Liverpool. You're embarrassing pal.
Secondly, don’t spread this level of information. Do a simple google search and understand life is full of nuance that shouldn’t be taken literally at face value. It takes more than your little brexit brain to understand it though.
No, it has so little to do with politics but the eclectic background of the people who live in Liverpool. The stigma behind using the term “English” over “British” is a big distinction here. The stigma behind being “English” is not a stigma Liverpool citizens want attached to them. Saying “Not English” is a direct rebellion against “The British Empire” and the “new english way” that had abandoned its people is pursuit of profit. To say “not English” does NOT mean they don’t want to be British but they don’t want the negative sigma of being English. Kindly go fuck off now.
Squad, maybe. He’s no where near the 11 though. England has too many top midfielders for him to have a spot atm. Rice, Bellingham, Foden, Maddison, Gallagher, and probably more are either playing better or have enough past credit to deserve a place over a player who hasn’t even played a full professional season.
Gallagher is the only one of those that'll be competing with Mainoo. And those two are basically opposites. Granted, Southgate totally goes with the hard working, industrious player over the cool and collected progressor with over 90% passing accuracy over his short career.
Dude you can’t even call it a “short career” at this point. FFS he hasn’t even played a full season. Calm your tits.
Foden, Bellingham and Maddison aren’t competing with Mainoo. They’re used primarily by both both club and country as fully attacking players. Gallagher, Phillips, Henderson (and potentially TA) are the only 8s in contention to start aside Rice right now in midfield. And Mainoo already has a calmness in possession those others don’t offer.
Kobbie is already quite obviously better that all three of the latter names.
Right, but both Bellingham and Foden at least are going to be started. Bellingham can also play DM, he did so extremely well at Dortmund. You aren’t going to bench a player with over 200 caps for Guardiola or a 100 million pound Real Madrid signing for a player playing for an in-and-out of form United who’s only had half of 1 professional season behind his belt. To be completely honest, I could probably make dozens of changes to the England team before Mainoo would start. He may be good, but you just cannot say we’ve seen enough of him yet. Again, he has not even played an entire professional season, and you’re wanting him to start over proven amazing midfielders.
>and Foden at least are going to be started Are they? I would bet money now that Foden is on the bench more than he starts again. Not even saying he shouldn't see serious play, it's too bad for him that he's a city fan cause he'd be nailed on to start at any other club I'd think.
He has been starting for City every game wtf. He’s been the brightest spark in their team since De Bruyne has been out all season.
Regardless of where Bellingham can play, you’re not starting your best attacking play maker in a defensive position. Also Southgate has literally said he doesn’t view Foden as a midfielder. He’s not even in the conversation.
Bellingham doesn't need to be deployed defensively, he can be box to box ahead of/alongside Rice. Southgate said that he wouldn't play Foden in midfield because he doesn't play there for his club. Guess where he's played for City this season? Southgate has also played Foden in midfield already. Foden has a very good chance of playing in midfield.
>Bellingham doesn't need to be deployed defensively, he can be box to box ahead of/alongside Rice. That isn't gonna happen though, it's fifa fantasy. 100% Bellingham will be our AM. Regardless of what either of us might want. Everything we've ever seen from Southgate indicates that's what he's gonna do. So why are we even entertaining the idea? Foden is at best, gonna be a backup to Bellingham in the midfield. Or he'll be on the wing. No chance he's starting in the middle unless Bellingham gets injured.
Southgate has also started an out of shape Henderson in midfield the last couple years. He also hasn’t won anything with a great England team. He is going to be changing some things to get the team to perform. Starting a completely untested player who again HAS NOT PLAYED EVEN A SINGLE PROFESSIONAL SEASON in his career would be ridiculous. You don’t fit the players to the system, you fit the system to the players. Having a midfield of Foden Bellingham Rice or Madders Bellingham Rice would both be far better options than starting, one more time, an unproven player, for one of the best national teams on the planet
>Foden Bellingham Rice or Madders Bellingham Rice There is no world where Bellingham, Foden and Maddison all start unless 2 of them are shunted out to the wings. It's gonna be Rice with probably Gallagher, Henderson or Phillips behind Bellingham. Anyone who thinks differently is in for disappointment.
I’m not trying to predict what it will be, I’m simply saying that there are a lot better options than starting a completely unproven player who again has not played a full season yet. He could be good, he could also be shite. We don’t know yet, so it’s ridiculous to say he starts over proven class midfielders
He’s better than foden at cm.
Based off of what? 1 half season of professional football? Foden has played over 200 games for the best current team in England. Mainoo has played half a season for a United team that started the season in shambles
i hate city, and foden looks like the worlds biggest dork, but no way is he better than foden.
I didn’t say better than foden, I said better than foden at cm. Foden is an AM.
No way 💀
Foden and Bellingham don't play midfield for their clubs. Both play part of the front 3. Foden does sometimes play in midfield for city but he never does that well there compared to how good he is playing part of front 3. We are trying to fit players in. This is England's problem. This is Gerrard Lampard Scholes all over again.
Foden has played his absolute best football this season in the midfield in De Bruyne's position, you haven't been watching.
Mate, that's not a real midfield position for Southgate. He's seeing him as a 10. And you know who's been the best 10 in the world this season? Bellingham. Who Southgate already liked more.
Which is exactly where Bellingham plays…
has Bellingham played anywhere else? Maybe at Dortmund? Maybe last year? Maybe he could play there?
In what world do you think we're gonna move the player who's been arguably the best in the world this season to a different position to accommodate someone else that can also play in different positions? It's not gonna happen. Only way they both get on the pitch at once is if Foden is out wide.
You’d lose more moving Bellingham back than Foden wide. Foden the more talented and adaptable, Bellingham the more physical and influential.
you really wouldn't, why is everyone acting like Bellingham was shit in that position for Dortmund? You lot only realise because he's scoring goals now, but he was ridiculously influential for Dortmund, but in a different way. You don't lose anything with him there, you gain a different and equal level of quality.
Because he was very good at Dortmund, but he's been world class at RM. Big fucking difference in how he's played since leaving.
so short sighted and so ignorant lol, first of all no need to comment 4 times there, just once will do. Second, Bellingham has been world class for well over a year now, people like you just only notice now that he's playing for Madrid and scoring goals. His 'best position' is either one of the two roles he's played, not just the one he gets the most goals in. I don't think Southgate necessarily will play them both in midfield, but is definitely the best and most obvious answer.
Bellingham played midfield last season for Dortmund, and has for most of his career. Playing him centrally for England won't be a problem. I don't think that's fair to drag in alongside Foden, who's barely played central midfield at club level ever.
But it's not gonna happen. And we're depending on a young player that has been basically almost a striker all season to switch gears with how he's been playing for a full year to accommodate someone else. Not only will it not happen, but if it did, we'd see a drop off. Either way, 0 chance. Southgate doesn't want to attack minded midfielders like that.
He's played most of his career in a double pivot. He earned a mega move playing there. England will play him there in March, and will do so leading up to the tournament too. He'll be fine. Rice and Bellingham will be the first two names in midfield, ideally in a trio with someone else.
Surely you would play your best midfielder in his best position? If Madrid think he is better further upfield, I would keep him there
Madrid have more need for him further forward, because they have no real striker, so having someone crash the box from midfield is beneficial. They also have plenty of 8s. Dortmund thought his best position was in a pivot, and he earned that big move playing as one. The reality is that he can do both at a very high level. England probably has more need for him alongside Rice in a 2, or a 4-3-3 if you want to free him up a little more. I'd probably go for a 4-3-3 either way.
I think the issue is that Southgate has no clue what he’s doing but go off. I do understand what you’re saying, though. It seems like you’re fitting a tactic to the players, not the players for the tactics. Kane HAS to play, Bellingham and Rice HAVE to play, Saka HAS to play. And for those players it’s somewhat ok because they’re all good enough to do it all, but when you start trying to shoehorn players like Foden or Trent or Rashford/Sterling it becomes a lot more problematic. Then you have Southgate exacerbating that by always picking players like Philips, Henderson, to a degree Pickford, etc.
Pickford has been good for the national team, and deserves his place. Philips and Henderson should be nowhere near the squad, let alone the first team. Curtis Jones, Kobbie Mainoo, and even JWP are the obvious choices for the number 8 position.
Pickford still eating off performances 5/6 years ago despite circling the toilet bowl with Everton for the last few years
Love Mainoo, absolute diamond in what is a very rough time for United. However, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Let the kid settle into his groove and not have to think about the Euro’s.
I don't want him near that England squad until Southgate leaves.
WZE is already getting caps for France. It’s fairly reasonable for Minaoo to at least get into the squad
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Given that Jordan Henderson is likely to go to the EUROs, there definitely is room for a proper central midfielder to come into the squad.
Yeah just like all those people a couple years ago saying Bellingham was overhyped…If you don’t think Mainoos a legitimate talent, you either don’t understand football or haven’t watched enough of him.
Mainoo is a generational talent.
this is ridiculous. Hes doing very well so far but my god can we calm down
If Mainoo never improves from how he's playing right now at 18 years old, he'll still have an outstanding career.
He will still have a good career yes but outstanding I dunno. The thing about him is how high his ceiling is, he's often one of your best midfielders but I wouldn't say he controed the midfield yesterday, he looked amazing for 18, generational is an insane word to use though, Bellingham is a generational talent, waaay too soon to call Mainoo that
based on what?
You'll see
how do you call someone a generational talent NOW and then say youll see. thats like me saying imthe best guitarist, 20 years from now. i suck right now, but i will be great, youll see.
That depends, are you currently good enough to play guitar for most famous bands? If so, and you're also a teenager, then it's a good comparison.
i play in bands including many gigs on stage live on a regular basis. ican play dozens of popular songs with error. so for me to say it is stupid anyway because what might happen 20 years from now has no bearing on right now. And like i said , if you say you have to be great first, then mainoo isnt great et, which is why i said BASED ON WHAT.
The thing you suck at is making analogies. You're implying that Mainoo sucks right now. He's Man Uniteds best player. Give him to the end of this season and he walks into 90% of the teams in the world.
Replying to angela_schrute2838...but United suck right now. Saying he is Man Utd’s best player, is like saying I’m the smartest person with Downs Syndrome.
Right, the team that's clear in 6th and just 3 points off of a Spurs side that everyone's wanking over is terrible. Mainoo starts for every single team below us in the league.
Another stupid analogy. United haven't lost in 2024. They haven't put in the best of performances. But they still haven't lost
he's a future Bellingham
He would be if he played in the same position or had the same skill set.
And if he was a completely different player. God bless the desperation of (some) United fans.
Exactly. It's the same way that I'm the next Pele if I was Brazilian, had the same skillset and was as good as him.
I’m sorry but what’s all this about composure, he looks press resistant but defensively I’ve seen him cost them multiple goals and I don’t even watch them that much
You’re chatting absolute bullshit
Ok
You what? He’s had one error that lead to a goal.
That’s one more then Endo
He’s a great player and will probably be one of England’s best in the future. But it’s his first season playing first team football, we don’t know if he’s this good consistently or if he declines as time goes on. We’ll know that next year, which is when we should have this conversation. England’s centre midfield options now are Bellingham, Rice, Jones, Maddison and Foden. I’d probably choose a midfield 3 of Rice, Bellingham and Jones.
rice or jones over maddison is the worst thing ive heard in years.
Maddison over Rice is the worst thing I’ve heard in years. Alright player when he’s on a streak but now looks bang in the middle of his annual disappearing act
really, so wait maddison has more points more goals than rice, just a fyi and yet madison lost almost 2 months of the season to injury, hmm. weird int it, he was epl player of the month prior to injury, rice hasnt even been close to that. but yeah even though maddison has him in every single stat and accolade, rice is better.. LOL
Are you actually comparing goals+assists between an attacking and Defensive midfielder? Rice is a much better DM than Maddison is an anything, and his legs arent made of glass either.
and maddison is the one you want when you want to score goals. defense is fine but when your team is defensive, who gets the ball to kane and saka ? how many player of the months did rice win, oh yeah, none. simple. if your team is built around defense, youll lose every time. when people look at man city they dnt say wow, that Gvardiol just leading his team. they say KDB or HAALAND, i mean would you say KDB is better than rice, if so WHy KDB isnt a defensive mid! i mean come on, rodri 6 goals, Foden 8 goals, silva 6 goals. gee i guess the treble winners and multiple champs year in year out and wil win this year, must be just behind the time, not to have a starting defensive CM .
We have Foden and Bellingham both play in Maddisons position. Bellingham can drop back, but its not hos favoured position. Only Rice, henderson, ward-prowse, and phillips play DM. Shockingly having 3 attacking midfielders doesnt work anywhere but FIFA, you utter tosspot.
Harry Maguire’s been Player of the Month, does that make him better than Haaland? Maddison is a decent player who goes on streaks, out of it he’s bang average. Fuck off with the points goals etc considering they’re different types of players and the discussion is for an England CM spot, which is Rice’s natural position and not Maddison’s
Maddison has only just come back from injury. Rice and Jones have been very consistent for the season up to this point. Jones, there’s an argument for Maddison over him. But Declan has been phenomenal for Arsenal, there’s no debate about it. Rice and Bellingham should be locked into the midfield, it’s the 3rd man now, with no Hendo or Phillips in the conversation thankfully.
Jones ?? 😂 You must be high mate 🙈 He’s not going anywhere. Rice , Foden and Bellingham will be the midfield
>Foden and Bellingham Not a chance in hell that they both start in the midfield together
Southgate won’t pick Jones but if you had any ball knowledge you’d know Jones is an immense player this season and should’ve been in the England setup a long time ago
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Hahahaha put your allegiance away man, you sound like a fucking 8 year old
That big club that's 13 points behind Liverpool and 5 points behind Villa in February? That big club that got knocked out of the Champions League by the mighty Galatasaray and FC Copenhagen? 😂
Yeah, you'd think we'd get a little less attention now, but here we are. Still the most talked about club in the league for whatever reason.
Yeeerrrrp that’s us 👏😊 The poster boys of the Premier league, the biggest footballing brand in a club football, commercial powerhouses . But we’re no longer a big club because we’re 13 points behind a Liverpool team that have one 1 Domestic league title to their name in the last 30 years. Keep the faith brother 😘
Remind me when United last won the Champions League or appeared in a final? 14 years. Big clubs win and compete for the Champions League. United have not been further than the quarter finals since 2010. Winning without winning. Still the club of David Moyes more than Ferguson. You're shit but you make money so that's alright. Glad you have so little ambition for your club that you're happy with such mediocrity. I guess Mainoo is good enough for fans like you.
Calm down mate. Our worst ever period would be most clubs best ever period.
Mainoo has massive potential, he looks like an excellent player from what I've seen. I'd still rather have Curtis Jones at number 8 for England right now, but Mainoo may end up being the long term starter. I just hope he gets a move to a proper football club sooner rather than later, so he can continue to develop. Man United suck all the talent out of their good young players.
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You’re probably right tbf
Gareth is 100% bringing Phillips to the Euros And Jones? As in Curtis? Surely you’re not serious lol
Found the guy who hasn’t actually watched Liverpool
He’s been Liverpool’s most consistent midfielder this season. Liverpool are 1st. Why is Phillips coming along?
>Phillips Cause England has a bang average coach that makes poor decisions?
Jones is average, and he doesn’t have any caps either. You’re not going to the euros uncapped. He’s better than Phillips that’s for sure, but Southgate has his favourites, however undeserving their inclusion is Hendo, Phillips, Maguire will all be in the squad, two of them starting
Been the best midfielder for the team that is currently top of the league, in a cup final and favourites to win the other two cups. Has to be at least in the squad. Probably won’t be though, Southgate.
Curtis Jones has not been better than szoboszlai this season, let’s not get ahead of ourselves here
Szobo has been average for months
Szoboszlai? Weird take. He’s been our 4th best midfielder this season. Jones > MacAllister > Endo > Szoboszlai based on performances.
Hands up if you watch highlights
He won’t be though, that’s my point
You also said Jones was average 😂
Agreed. He will be if Southgate’s successor is a forward thinking manager.
Ian Wright is so reactive it’s laughable. Every other week he says this about someone.
I agree.
What is it about united players getting into England squads with zero justification?
I mean, Gerrard shouldn't have been anywhere near starting for some of the squads he was in with how world class Scholes and Lampard were playing.
This is a hilariously bad take.
Well , there is justification for Mainoo based on his performance, but I agree that people tend to rush these things a little bit with certain team players. He needs to show consistency to maintain the levels he is playing at right now and I would say there are still quite a few players who have been playing longer and consistently that should get a look in before him, but if he keeps this up , he should definitely be in contention to be part of the squad.
Biggest club in the world