25 May 2026 11:10:05
It feels like both the coaches and Kobbie himself view his long-term role as a 6. We have seen him be the deepest midfielder in the recent matches under Carrick.
That's probably why United keep getting linked with energetic ball-winning 8s like Tonali and Ederson — players who can push higher, press aggressively, cover ground, and complement a deeper controller behind them. It feels less like the club is searching for another deep midfielder and more like they're building around Mainoo as the base.
I wouldn't be surprised if we go for one or two 8s this summer, and then add a backup 6 for depth and rotation rather than a starting-calibre one.
25 May 2026 14:07:43
Given that Mainoo is the only midfielder we will have next season if we don't sign any (I'm expecting Ugarte to leave), we need multiple roles in midfield.
Mainoo will likely play as both the No.6 and the No.8 at times next season.
We need several different types of midfielder this summer.
We need a natural holding No.6, we need an energetic box to box destroyer, we need a passing tempo controller (Mainoo is naturally a ball carrying box to box player who leans towards the more attacking side of the game).
25 May 2026 14:11:50
Agreed, with his technical ability and ability to receive, you want Kobbie to have the most touches of the ball in the team, and his ideal partner would basically be a more mobile version of Casemiro like Tonali/Anderson etc.
25 May 2026 19:03:54
Kobie has really stepped it up lately and he looks a real player again. It took some time, which is perhaps not a surprise when you have been told you are not good enough, you are this, you are not that, for months.
Carrick rates him, and Cas has been enthusing about him, so his confidence is back and he's in peak form. I don't buy the argument he needs to play further forward. For me, he is box to box, the oil that keeps the engine running.
26 May 2026 17:13:42
Agree, AJH. He has a goal in him, which is great, like all good midfielders. But he is the man that keeps things ticking.
I think a destroyer behind him (Baleba or Ederson, it seems) and an Anderson type around him would be great.
Ugarte should have been that guy as a 6, but he's just not good enough for the Prem.