Thiago Alcantara has expressed his admiration for Kobbie Mainoo, telling Rio Ferdinand exactly where he believes the Manchester United midfielder plays best.
Manchester United may be prioritising midfielders this summer, but after signing a new long-term contract at Old Trafford, Kobbie Mainoo is very much part of Michael Carrick’s plans as head coach.
Ideally, United will sign a defensive midfielder who is suited to partnering Mainoo. The 21-year-old is one of the best players to emerge from the academy in recent years, and it would be a shame to see that talent go to waste.
Mainoo’s future could look very different if United hadn’t sacked Ruben Amorim in January. The Portuguese coach didn’t rate the young midfielder and would have sold him to the highest bidder.
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Thiago Alcantara’s verdict on Kobbie Mainoo’s best position is damning for Ruben Amorim
Former Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara is the latest special guest on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast.
The conversation covers a range of topics, including Mainoo’s best role in midfield.
Thiago’s verdict contradicts Amorim’s vision of Mainoo as a player because the former United head coach made it seem like there was no place for the academy graduate in the line-up. That is evident when you look at the number of Premier League starts Mainoo had under Amorim last season (0).
Former United defender Rio Ferdinand mentioned Mainoo, confessing his love for the England international, who has yet to make an appearance at the 2026 World Cup.
That was when Thiago admitted: “I love it [Mainoo] too.”
Ferdinand’s follow-up question saw Thiago asked to give his verdict on Mainoo’s best role as a midfielder. The former Spain international stressed that he is best in the No.8 role.
“8,” Thiago said.
“I would play him because he’s capable to defend, to be aggressive, but then with the ball he’s able to help the defenders to bring the ball to the place that will decide the game.
“He’s able to dribble, to arrive to the ball, to score goals. So you are an 8.
“With the way he behaves on a pitch, you couldn’t believe him as a number 10. You have to leave him in the middle as a number 8, knowing that there’s someone behind him kicking someone. Because if he gets in the ball, he will give it, and he can progress with the ball and arrive to the box. And if the number 6 needs some help, he will come to help.”
Thiago added that there are still elements of Mainoo’s game that need to improve, which is to be expected with any player who shares his age.
He continued: “He’s young, and sometimes because of the motivation to play games at a young age, you just overdo things. Sometimes he wants to do more than he should do in the game, but for his age, he’s winning amazingly.”
- ⚡️ NEWS IN BRIEF
- Ruben Amorim couldn’t find a place for Kobbie Mainoo in his starting line-up at Manchester United
- Thiago Alcantara tells Rio Ferdinand that he loves Mainoo
- The former Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Liverpool midfielder sees Mainoo as a No.8
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What did Ruben Amorim say about Kobbie Mainoo’s best position?
During his time at Old Trafford, Amorim maintained that Mainoo’s best role in his system was the No. 10 role.
Amorim did not trust Mainoo in deeper positions.
Following a 2-0 win over Steaua București in the Europa League, Amorim explained why Mainoo had difficulty getting game time under his management.
Amorim told reporters: “The Kobbie position today, we need time to understand the players, he was struggling a lot defending as a midfielder.
“Now more as a ten you can feel that he was so free, playing the ball near the box is really good, the small connections. We need time to work with the players and understand the best positions for them.”
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