Manchester United’s midfielder Kobbie Mainoo was handed a new attacking role against FCSB in a 2-0 win where Kobbie shined the most. Mainoo bagged an assist and a goal in his first start in Europe. Ruben Amorim admitted that Mainoo has struggled defensively in a deeper midfield position but showed great promise with his technical ability and composure up front in the No. 10 position, leading Amorim to rethink his best position on the pitch.
After United’s 2-0 victory over FCSB in the Europa League, Amorim spoke openly about Mainoo’s challenges when playing in a more defensive role. “We need time to understand the players. He was struggling a lot defending as a midfielder. Now, more as a No.10, you can see he was so free, playing the ball near the box, and near the box, he is really good with his small connections.”
The tactical switch paid dividends in Bucharest, as Mainoo set up Diogo Dalot’s opener with a low cross before scoring himself with a composed finish inside the box from Garnacho’s cross. His movement and link up play with Rasmus Hojlund in the final third were also evident, signalling an extra advantage upfront for United who has struggled getting goals this season.
Amorim’s current system at Manchester United, a variation of the 3-4-2-1 formation, relies heavily on two narrow attacking midfielders supporting the central striker. With Mainoo’s performance last night and his natural ability to connect play and make quick passes and intelligent movements outside the box, a more offensive role could be an ideal situation for both the player and the club who has been recently linked with a move away to Chelsea.
Despite Mainoo’s impressive display in the new position, competition remains fierce for the attacking midfield position where Bruno Fernandes is already an established name in the position. However, Amorim’s willingness to experiment may benefit Mainoo as he could be an integral part of United’s attacking options moving forward.
The tactical shift also raises questions about United’s midfield balance. With Fernandes sometimes dropping deeper, Amorim may be looking for more fluidity in midfield to maximize creativity while maintaining defensive stability. If Mainoo continues to excel in his new role, it could reshape how United’s midfield is structured in the long run.
As United prepare for their upcoming Premier League fixture against Crystal Palace, all eyes will be on whether Amorim sticks with Mainoo in an attacking capacity. If his performance against FCSB was any indication, the teenager could be starting another game in a similar role with Fernandes.
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