03 Feb 2026 10:31:08
If Kobbie Mainoo was at palace, brighton or forest, how much do you think he would be worth?
03 Feb 2026 10:52:43
For me he's in the bracket just slightly below Andeson around 65 70 and about the same as what Wharton and Baleba should be 55 to 60 million.
03 Feb 2026 10:53:02
He's still finding his feet after a lack of game time, but if gets back to his previous level then big bucks. People forget he played for England in a major final and was one of United's best players that year.
It feels like he is currently playing it safe, which is perhaps not surprising given he was ignored for 18 months. If I was Carrick, I would be telling him to be himself and show what he can do.
03 Feb 2026 11:21:35
I think Mainoo has looked positionally very aware. Whether it's his own observation or Amorim's coaching or simple pointers from Carrick I think he's showing he should have been trusted some time ago. With a more athletic player beside him he'll look even better I expect.
03 Feb 2026 13:07:05
You’re right AJH, it feels like he’s still finding his feet and working out how to play alongside Cas and Bruno. The most encouraging thing is that he’s starting to link with Bruno. I think that’s the key to our midfield, having someone who can push up to work with Bruno in attack and still has the legs to get back to help Cas defensively.
If he can get that role down, the creativity will come in time.
03 Feb 2026 13:55:27
He showed in fa cup final that he could link well with bruno.
Was always a myth that the two couldn't play with each other in the same team, they complement each other well.
03 Feb 2026 14:44:01
He's a very promising young player. Needs to play, but also needs to have competition. I don't like that we are completely reliant on him now. Not good for him and his development. I think he could benefit from a few sub ons at 60 mins when he has the fresh legs and can influence a bit more.
He does well, but also can give away a simple pass- presume it is concentration rather than ability. I do want to see him fitter and stronger, not sure he has finished growing physically yet. Agree that he is being a bit safe, which is understandable. He was key these last few games though.
03 Feb 2026 15:55:39
Love kobbie, he really is a quality player. Has massive potential. It's incredible to think he couldn't get a start given what we have seen from him in the last 3 games.
Hardest part of playing CM, is being able to dictate and control part of the game and he can really do that. Plus he plays the ball forward and awful lot which a lot of CMs don't do.
If he was at any club like palace/forest etc and had played form England at a major tournament and stared, no doubt he would be 80million.
Quality player.
03 Feb 2026 16:53:18
I think he is a big part of how we played angel. He played a lot of passes forward and out wide right in last game. Something that was clearly a tactic to attack on that side. He seems to be a bit of thinking man's player - can't wait to see what he can do under Carrick and co for rest of season.
03 Feb 2026 16:54:04
I know Urd are linked with wharton, Anderson and Baleba, but how would they all fit together in midfield?
I suspect Utd will try to sign at least 2 of them. Where do people think Mainoo will play? Will Bruno be sold or kept as a 10 for another season?
03 Feb 2026 18:52:11
If we were able to get Anderson and Baleba for example, anderson and mainoo would start and baleba would be the third choice in the rotation.
Assuming we get into europe, we should be playing 50-60 games next season so more than enough game time to go around. Mainoo has already had some injury issues in both of the last two seasons tbf.
03 Feb 2026 19:08:46
Exactly DSG, we need 4 first team ready midfielders. Especially with European football, domestic cups that hopefully go longer than 1 game each and young player like Kobbie included in the 4. This is not much to ask.
Mount and Bruno are not 6/8s. Yes they can do a job, but not in the main 4. Martinez can cover in the event of injury, again not in the 4.
Games are won and lost midfield, we need to have right squad balance. Zirkzee malacia surplus and gaping hole in CM.
04 Feb 2026 04:24:58
I just can’t see us signing Anderson and Baleba let alone Wharton too think that’s just dreaming and unrealistic pie in the sky, maybe 1 of those 3 and a cheaper alternative is about it in real world or united world anyway.
04 Feb 2026 09:19:31
About 30 million for me. I Like the boy as he is a academy player but in reality. he doesn't create always passes it safe, he doesn't score, he's not the best defensively. Not the best going forward. Since coming back into the team he has covered a lot of ground but he can go 30 minutes without his name being mentioned. Rarley spreads play or plays a long ball, when he does its usually behind the runner. He is neat and tidy and that's about it so far.
If he wasn't an academy player i'm not sure we would look to sign him. He's limited in his mobility. His best asset is passing 5 yards and being a decent dribbler that he doesn't use enough. For me currently he's a level below anderson, wharton and baleba. Anderson is better all round player, wharton is better on the ball and dictating play, Baleba is better at recovering the ball and mobility. Hopefully he kicks on and excels at something.
04 Feb 2026 10:35:23
I think that's harsh dio, although he has yet to get back to his previous level.
04 Feb 2026 11:40:35
Mainoo can run with and move the ball between lines, a very useful attribute. However he can’t control a game or dominate the midfield. That is what his problem has been, to nail a place down the team have to be set up for him to do what he does as a special-ist, almost. He can lose a ball and doesn’t look quick or strong enough to get back. He seems something nearer a 10, not a full 10, he picks the ball up moving through the opposition midfield. To a team wanting the attribute, which floods midfield he would be worth a lot.
Put Anderson in our CM and it gives a lease of life, yet I see Mainoo as the third in a central 3, almost point in a diamond, rather than a straight CM. He is a refined special-ist, moves well but the midfield has to be designed around him and that’s the issue. We desperately need a dominant CM, perhaps 2 and Mainoo would be fighting it out with the other 10’s unless we go 3CM which hasn’t been the United way, although if SAF had done that in the EC finals v Barcelona we would have done better. Mainoo is a conundrum.
04 Feb 2026 12:54:03
Not sure what you lads are watching Dio or red man. I see a CM that is more than capable of controlling ball when he has it, if you put another Cm capable of the same stuff, we will have a lot more possession.
I mean you're saying that about Mainoo red man and then telling me about Anderson, a CM in a Forest team that is near the relegation zone. He's not dominating or controlling games.
Mainoo, quite easily should be one of the first names down on the team sheet. He plays through lines, a lot of balls around players and driving, something an awful lot of CMs can't even comprehend.
Or do we want a Declan Rice type who is conservative as you get, playing sideways and back passes all the time. Kobbie is a boy that takes risks and plays progressive football. Give me that all day and stick another ball playing CM beside him. When he was starting in major tournaments for England, he showed us all exactly how good he is, at 18, I hasten to add.
But red man, you do know your CMs, i mean give me your take on Bruno ? he would've been sold by now, given your footballing opinion on how he plays.
04 Feb 2026 14:55:05
I see what dio is saying and agree to a large extent. Mainoo has a way to go to get back to where he was and to push on. He couldn't have a much better player to emulate than Carrick, that's for sure.
04 Feb 2026 16:13:52
Mainoo is a decent player, not a great player…. looks better when Cass is in there too next to him.
Would we buy him or want him if he were at another team. I don’t think so.
Yes he got in England team but then so do lots of others never to be seen again and why is getting in an England team that’s won nothing a benchmark anyway!
Yes he does a job, should he be first on team sheet or build a team around…not a chance.
04 Feb 2026 17:52:02
Maze, I love the fact you complain about all our players being rubbish, but then claim we can't buy better players anyway. What's the point, then?
04 Feb 2026 17:55:46
Agree, Angel. Kobe's been one of the only midfielders we've had since our heyday who can take a pass on the turn and look to move it forward.
He hasn't been at his best recently, but he's young and still finding his feet again after not getting much game time. I've no worries about him, especially with Carrick and his team there to guide him.
04 Feb 2026 21:06:50
AJH it may have come across has harsh but that's what I see. A player with potential but i'm unsure what he excels in. He's okay at most things but not the best at anything a center mid does. Still improving and is young so he can develop i just think if he was playing for anyone else would we all be scrambling to sign him.
I'm not so sure. I think personally we could buy 2 better cms than him and we won't and it will cost us later on. I'd prefer him to be back up to 2 truly great cms and see if he can play his way into the side.
04 Feb 2026 22:43:10
angel
Yes been watching CMs since the 60’s. Do you now think Bruno is a CM?
At some point reality has to dawn to you on a 31 year old whose position has been updated by MBueno and Cunha, he only has so long. When, in summer, he asks for £400k a week to stay, the emotional fans will beg for the club to give it him. It’s why the club keeps getting in a mess, too many emotional decisions.
Lastly angel, you mention Anderson in the Forrest team, were you around when we bought Keane from them, is my memory going or were they relegated that season? Anderson may not be Keane but your dismissal of him to me shows your lack of appreciation of CM players.
05 Feb 2026 08:25:51
Good post, Red Man.
05 Feb 2026 08:52:52
It's the double standards, looking to Anderson as the answer whilst appreciating the genuine talent that we have in Kobbie. I'm just trying to make a point. It's in no way a dismissal of Anderson, I really think he is going to be a top player and would love to see him here along with Wharton.
It's your dismissal of Kobbie that is baffling, you say one thing about him and another about Anderson, the double standards. Kobbie is 19, and he has stood head and shoulders above players within games yet you think he's a conundrum ?
And your dismissal of Bruno even more so. You've been banging on the Bruno drum for about 2 years now, whatever your agenda is with him. The fact he gets paid lots of money? Is he holding anyone back? Is he not contributing to the team? If we sell him, like you want? (A reminder that you said sell him in January by the way. ) Who do we get?
His position has been updated by Cunha and Mbuemo? Are we watching the same games?
You can tell me you've been watching football for 20 years more than me Red Man, but that doesn't make you more knowledgeable on the subject of CMs.
05 Feb 2026 09:00:04
Sorry Kobbie is 20.
It's mad, people on here have drunk the Ruben Amorim Kool-Aid and formed an opinion that Mainoos a conundrum, maybe a 10, a decent player etc.
Kobbie is a top boy, hadn't started since August, then has 3 starts V City, Arsenal and Fulham, 9 points. Was crucial with some of his defensive contributions and assisted Dorgu, all be it a worldie.
20 years of age! Keane was just 22 signing for United, Elliot Anderson is 23. Kobbie has already started a major European final for England at 19.
Put down the Amorim Kool-Aid lads, he's gone.
05 Feb 2026 10:36:09
So, substitute 32% with Amorim Kool-Aid as the go-to.
Speshull. ?.
05 Feb 2026 11:02:32
There he is, not engaging ???.