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After Manchester United’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester Metropolis, one factor turned clear: Ruben Amorim can not ignore who wants to begin enjoying a key position in midfield.
4 league video games into the season, Amorim has but to seek out the correct steadiness in midfield, which is holding United again.
A part of the issue lies within the membership’s failure to land him a cellular midfielder. However one other obtrusive situation is Amorim’s stubbornness together with his midfield choices.
Failed experiment in opposition to Metropolis
Towards Metropolis, Amorim opted for a Bruno Fernandes–Manuel Ugarte pairing in midfield.
Most United followers knew the second they noticed that pairing that it was going to be an extended 90 minutes.
Fernandes continues to wrestle as a deep-lying playmaker in opposition to possession-dominant sides, whereas Ugarte has but to adapt to the Premier League’s depth.
The pair have been by no means going to thrive in opposition to Metropolis, and they didn’t. They have been overwhelmed as Metropolis swarmed the midfield.
Ugarte, specifically, seemed remoted on the ball. His lack of composure in possession and poor ball development made him extra of a legal responsibility than an asset.
Promising Mainoo efficiency
United’s midfield was overrun for many of the match, however issues seemed marginally higher when Kobbie Mainoo was launched within the 62nd minute.
Regardless of Amorim’s earlier feedback suggesting Mainoo wanted to enhance to interrupt into the staff, the academy graduate ended up being one of many few vibrant spots in a irritating derby defeat.
With Mainoo on the pitch, United lastly confirmed glimpses of management.
In simply 28 minutes, he made two tackles, performed two key passes, received all three of his floor duels, and accomplished his solely dribble try.
It was a strong, all-round efficiency.
Kobbie Mainoo received each floor duel (3/3) and accomplished each cross (18/18) within the 28 minutes he performed vs. Manchester Metropolis.
Ought to he begin in opposition to Chelsea? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/Muhf8GIMfZ
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) September 15, 2025
Amorim might view Mainoo as nonetheless uncooked, however the teenager did way over the supervisor’s most well-liked choices.
Whereas he might lack elite athleticism, there’s arguably no higher ball progressor within the squad; his passing and ball-carrying capacity converse for themselves.
In reality, Mainoo made Amorim look silly, and it will be much more ridiculous to proceed overlooking him.
Time to belief Mainoo
Thomas Tuchel just lately mentioned Mainoo lacks nothing however minutes, and in opposition to Metropolis, that rang true. Had he began, he may nicely have proved himself worthy of a spot in United’s XI.
His cameo needs to be sufficient to nudge Amorim into experimenting with him in a midfield pivot.
Analysing the derby defeat, Mainoo delivered United’s greatest midfield efficiency. There isn’t a different strategy to see it.
Amorim has provided loads of causes for not enjoying Mainoo. However after Sunday, he now has each purpose to begin him.
The Portuguese tactician claims to see Mainoo as a substitute for Fernandes. It’s time to admit that Fernandes in central midfield merely shouldn’t be working.
With Matheus Cunha sidelined enjoying the Portuguese Magnifico as a ten, then pairing Mainoo with Casemiro at central midfield might supply United a extra balanced and efficient pivot than some other mixture presently out there.
Till United signal their dream central midfielder, it will likely be trial and error, and Mainoo deserves his shot, for the advantage of the doubt and for the advantage of the staff.
Featured picture Alex Livesey through Getty Photos
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