Kobbie Mainoo and the box-to-box run that won Manchester United the FA Cup
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As the most crucial moment of his budding career approaches, Kobbie Mainoo is busy trying to stop Kevin De Bruyne in his own penalty area for a mere 20 seconds. Suddenly, the ball bounces up and down, and Mainoo uses his head to direct it towards Bruno Fernandes before sprinting forward.
Trapped among City players in the corridor, Fernandes does what many Manchester United players do when faced with a dead end - looks for Mainoo. Mainoo is anticipating the pass and already has plans for it: he takes a touch before using the outer edge of his foot to roll it to Marcus Rashford stationed at the midpoint of the pitch, and continues his run.
Rashford passes the ball to Alejandro Garnacho who is running towards the other side of the field. Garnacho then passes the ball to Fernandes who does a clever trick with it and gives a pass to Mainoo who is arriving inside the box. Kyle Walker is attempting to catch up but only gets to see Mainoo score with a neat side-foot finish past Stefan Ortega who is diving in an attempt to save the goal.
If Erik ten Hag had the chance to plan a goal that involves an aggressive approach, this would be perfect. The entire team works together seamlessly, with each player moving the ball with precision and speed, always anticipating the next move. Similarly, if any manager wanted a midfielder that can cover a lot of area and display outstanding composure, Mainoo fits the bill. He has the stamina to keep going and a level head that allows him to escape from tricky situations effortlessly.
The final match of the FA Cup did not go as expected. The large field was thought to favor Manchester City and enable them to control the ball. It was anticipated that United would struggle and tire out in the hot weather. However, City did not play with their typical energy and United took advantage of the empty areas behind City's defense that was too high and easily exposed.
The main contributor to the victory was Mainoo, who provided a solid performance as a midfielder that others can learn from. While his defense could use some improvement, as shown when he committed a foul against Kevin De Bruyne and received a yellow card, his ability to stay on top of his opponent and prevent them from making any successful moves was impressive. In fact, his strategy was so successful that De Bruyne was taken out of the game before even an hour had passed.
Mainoo displayed impressive football skills, swiftly passing through gaps and avoiding potential tackles with elegant pirouettes. He operated seamlessly around City's midfield, displaying remarkable precision and brevity. Once during the first half, he executed a swift one-two behind Rodri before easily evading Mateo Kovacic's advances and securing the ball. Despite the presence of formidable players like De Bruyne, Rodri, and Phil Foden in the congested midfield, the 19-year-old Mainoo emerged as the most impactful performer.
Mainoo is proving himself to be a versatile midfielder who can both defend and create opportunities in the attacking third. He is set to play for England in an upcoming match, likely one of the two warm-up games leading up to Euro 2024. It is certain that he will be included in the final squad, leaving the question of whether or not he should start in the opening group game alongside Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham. While he may be the least experienced of the three, his ability on the field may not reflect this.
As the match was nearing its end, the ball went out of play for a throw-in and Sofyan Amrabat, one of Mainoo’s teammates from the midfield, walked over to him and gave him a warm hug to show his appreciation. Even in the last minutes of the game, Mainoo didn't give up and continued to show his skills. He took the ball from his own half and passed it to Rasmus Hojlund for a counter-attack, but he didn't stop there - he kept running on the pitch.
As soon as the game was over, he dropped to his knees in celebration. He rejoiced with Garnacho, whom he had won the FA Youth Cup with two years ago when they were both slim academy players. If you watch the game replay of that moment, it is noticeable how much Mainoo has matured physically since then, yet his stylish game remains unchanged. He confessed recently, "I've passed through the academy by sticking to my natural game, and I haven't changed my approach for any circumstance. If you get anxious, then you start to alter your way of playing."
At last, he exited the field sporting a crimson headgear and a medal for winning the FA Cup adorning his neck.
Mainoo stated this week that anything is possible in a final. He expressed that they are not just participating, but aiming for victory. Further, he believed that they have players capable of taking charge of the team. Interestingly, Mainoo was actually referring to himself, although this went unnoticed at the time.
