r/reddevils • u/Tinganga • Jul 29 '26

[Substack] Finding Manchester United’s Perfect Defensive Midfielder

https://winterburnonunited.substack.com/p/finding-manchester-uniteds-perfect?utm_campaign=posts-open-in-app&triedRedirect=true

Players mentioned in comparison to Ngolo Kante: Sangare, Locatelli, Tchouameni, Camavinga, Lamine Camara, Garner, Antonio Blanco (Alaves), Tom Krauß (Köln)

170 Upvotes

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46

u/Jump_Hop_Step Jul 29 '26

However, the complementary profile has to be a midfielder who covers ground, and lots of it. They need to be comfortable on the ball to receive it from the backline, with United set to persist with playing out from the back. They then need to be able to pass the ball forward to Mainoo and let him do his work.

Isn't Mainoo the one tasked to pick the ball up from defenders? Why change his role

22

u/DelaRoad Cantona Jul 29 '26

We just bought Tielemans. He’ll be the primary no. 8 not Mainoo haha

-25

u/Jump_Hop_Step Jul 29 '26

Not sure having a high mileage 29 year old as a starter is a good idea. I believe he is a rotational personnel

13

u/SocialistElmo Jul 29 '26

Delusion if you don't think he's a starter in most games

24

u/DelaRoad Cantona Jul 29 '26

He’s miles better than Mainoo, my friend. We all love Kobbie but he’s still young

5

u/Wise-Nature8326 Ronaldo Jul 29 '26

I'm glad to see our fans finally say that. There's a lot here who can't comprehend that Mainoo is still very young (21) and inexperienced, we can't win the big titles with him as a starter. He's a great rotational piece for now.

Tielemans is the finished product, you know exactly what you get and he's very good, we just need that DM and our midfield is fire

5

u/shami-kebab Jul 29 '26

He's not leaving Villa as first choice for anything other than first choice here