Stats expose Kobbie Mainoo’s one flaw, he has made same mistake twice as often as other Man United midfielders

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Kobbie Mainoo has been nothing short of sensational since bursting onto the scene at Manchester United.

The 19-year-old has enjoyed a meteoric rise to success at Old Trafford and has cemented a spot in Erik ten Hag‘s first-team squad.

Kobbie Mainoo was perhaps the biggest success story at Manchester United last season after making an incredible impact and becoming one of the first names on Ten Hag’s teamsheet.

Mainoo has already built up a stunning highlight reel after scoring a superb goal against arch-rivals Liverpool and scoring against Manchester City to win the FA Cup final.

The United academy graduate has kept his starting spot this season and was praised by club legend Paul Scholes for forming a “really solid” partnership with Christian Eriksen in the latest 0-0 draw with Aston Villa.

Stats highlight Kobbie Mainoo’s one flaw

Mainoo has not yet reached the same heights as last season, but after a hectic breakthrough year and a busy summer away with England at Euro 2024, that is more than understandable.

Ten Hag has been trying to find his best midfield partnership with summer signing Manuel Ugarte now added to the mix, but when the pressure was highest he put his faith in Mainoo and Eriksen against Villa.

Mainoo’s strengths are clear to see – he is composed, a hard worker, a brilliant passer of the ball and has a keen eye for goal when bursting forward.

But a quick glance at the Premier League statistics shows he has one flaw he must work on.

Stats show Mainoo has been dispossessed more than any other Manchester United player in the Premier League this season – 15 times.

Mainoo ranks 10th in the entire Premier League in terms of how many times he has been dispossessed this season.

Alejandro Garnacho sits just behind Mainoo in United’s rankings after being dispossessed 13 times, but what may worry Ten Hag is that Mainoo has been dispossessed more than twice as many times as any other United midfielder.

Bruno Fernandes has been dispossessed seven times, Mason Mount four, Manuel Ugarte three and Casemiro and Eriksen only twice.

Ten Hag’s system has not helped

Mainoo being caught in possession is a result of an imbalance in midfield.

Regardless of who has played in midfield, Ten Hag’s chaotic system has left them exposed and vulnerable. There can be no questions asked about Mainoo’s ability on the ball, but he is bound to lose it when United cannot get players around him.

READ MORE: Three decisions Erik ten Hag got right against Aston Villa including new role for £19m Man United star

The organisation in midfield looked much better against Villa, and hopefully going forward Ten Hag will keep that structure which allowed Mainoo to get more involved.

United’s teenage star has also started every Premier League game this season and played the most minutes of any midfielder other than Fernandes.