Kobbie Mainoo is missing a key attribute for the modern game, says Paul Parker

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Manchester United need an athlete in midfield and do not have one, according to former star Paul Parker.

Speaking exclusively to The Peoples Person courtesy of WhichBookie, Parker was asked who he would select to be the central midfield pivot from the choices currently available.

Choosing a pivot

“The better one with the ball would be Casemiro,” Parker said. “But then you look around and you want legs in there, so you have to have Mason Mount.

“You would try to work with Mainoo. You’d put everything to try and make it work with what you’ve got in there.”

Hardly a ringing endorsement of the midfielders in the first team squad.

“I thought Toby Collyer had a chance because he came in and did himself justice,” the 61-year old said. “So really, I’ve got no idea. All I know is whatever they put in there at the moment, it’s just not good enough.

United lacking in most important attribute

“You need athletes in there,” Parker continued. “Football has become about athletes. You look at teams that are successful, they’ve got athletes first. The unsuccessful teams, the teams that struggle, haven’t got enough athletes, or haven’t got any.

“You look at United, they struggle for athletes.”

We asked the former England international if he felt Kobbie Mainoo was an athlete.

“Mainoo’s not a natural runner. He’s very one-paced in what he does. He needs to be in a three now. He needs something in around him. A bit more energy around him.

“Give Mainoo the ball at his feet and you’ve got something excellent, really, really good. But now teams are looking, when they look for players, is he an athlete? Yes, we can make him a footballer. [But if he’s a] good footballer, [but] not a good athlete, [they] push him aside.

“The two slowest teams in the Premier League last season were two teams near the bottom. West Ham and Manchester United. Both of them struggled. Tottenham struggled, didn’t have great pace around.”

“Nottingham Forest were last season, Newcastle were doing it. Teams are just running away.

“That’s the way it’s working. So midfield-wise, United are still struggling.”

Parker’s view on the goalkeeping situation can be read here and his opinions on the wing backs can be read here.

Featured image Shaun Botterill via Getty Images

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