Kobbie Mainoo’s Future At Manchester United Isn’t As A Number Six

In just seven minutes at the end of extra time, Manchester United turned its Europa League quarter-final tie against Lyon on its head. Bruno Fernandes got the comeback started with a penalty while Harry Maguire’s header put United through. Kobbie Mainoo’s goal, however, was the moment that truly electrified Old Trafford.

Mainoo only came off the bench in extra time and was thrown on in an advanced position to give Manchester United another body in the attack as its chased a comeback. However, his goal was the sort of moment he has produced before as someone who wants to get into the opposition box as often as possible.

Initially, Mainoo was thought of as a number six. Gareth Southgate used the youngster at the base of the midfield for England as The Three Lions made a run to the final of Euro 2024. Erik ten Hag clearly also saw Mainoo as someone who could anchor his team in the centre. Mainoo was seen as the next N’Golo Kante or Sergio Busquets.

This season, though, Mainoo has demonstrated more of his skill set which suggests his future for Manchester United lies higher up the pitch. Against Wolves on Sunday, Ruben Amorim used Manuel Ugarte and Christian Eriksen deeper in central midfield with Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho ahead of them.

Amorim is still figuring out exactly what he has within his squad after taking over from ten Hag earlier in the season. The Portuguese coach has deployed a formation that has been an awkward fit for Manchester United’s squad, but there are signs that the Old Trafford outfit is finally making steps forward.

Joshua Zirkzee is growing in influence in behind the central striker. Bruno Fernandes continues to be Manchester United’s most reliable difference-maker in the final third. Patrick Dorgu has given the Red Devils some much-needed physicality down the left side since his arrival from Lecce in the January transfer window.

Mainoo clearly has the talent to be an elite-level performer for club and country, but there has been some confusion over his exact role. Amorim has experimented with the 20-year-old as an attacking midfielder where he can get closer to goal, like he did for the crucial strike in the comeback win over Lyon. That moment could prove to be a turning point in Manchester United’s season, and Mainoo’s career at the club.