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Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images
Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images

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Robbie Savage says there’s one thing that Kobbie Mainoo really struggles with for Man Utd

Charles Jones
Charles Jones

Manchester United’s underwhelming start to the season continued on Sunday as they drew 0-0 with Aston Villa.

On the surface, a draw away at Villa Park is far from a poor result – but the manner of this game was emblematic of so many of United’s probl𝓡em🅠s at the moment.

Jonny Evans was arguably the Man of the Match, there w꧃as no attacking spark, and the midfield battle lacked any sort of intensity.

Kobbie Mainoo and Christian Eriksen started this🌌🎃 game, and there was a severe lack of pace in the midfield.

Speaking on , Robbie Savage has been reviewing this match, and h🍰e noted an issue wit𒀰h Mainoo’s game.

Indeed, according to Savage, Mainoo really struggled with recovery runs, stating🐎 that he needs a midfield partner wh𒁏o is much quicker.

Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Photo by Eddie Keogh – The FA/The FA via Getty Images

Kobbie Mainoo criticised for his lack of pace

Savage spoke about the youngster and his lack of leg♓s.

“I agree, listen Kobbie Mainoo has done unbelievably we🦩ll, he’s a young player, he has peaks and troughs, and he’s always learn♋ing,” Savage said.

“Where I think Kobbie Mainoo struggles is his recovery runs and his dynamism. He needs someone with him who can get up and down a𓆉nd can run.”

“Agai๊n, I think they have recruited wrong,𝔉 I think they have recruited wrong.”

How slow is Man Utd’s Mainoo?

Savage says that Kobbie Mainoo isn’t quick enouꦜgh, and h💯e’s not wrong. Last season, , clocking a top speed of just 29.86 km/h.

He did marg𒅌inally improve on that at Euro 2024, , but that still made him England’s fourth-slowest player, and even then that’s counting Anthony Gordon who played just one minute during the tournament.

Mainoo isn’t fast, he’s a fantastic talent quick a sharp mind and clever feet, but, in this day and age, if you lack pace, you will๊ get outrun in that midfield and you’ll be chasing the game.

🐬On the ball, there aren’t many better than Mainoo, but, off the ball, he’s not the most effective player to say the least.

Manchester United need to find a way to mask Mainoo’s lack of speed, and, sadly, Christi✤an Eriksen isn’t the𝕴 answer in that regard.