Ruben Amorim’s selection promise will please Kobbie Mainoo ahead of Man City clash
Kobbie Mainoo has seen his game time dwindle so far this season, but Ruben Amorim has issued a promise that means that may soon change.
Amorim has been criticised for his usage of Mainoo this season, with the academy graduate yet to make a start in the Premier League this season.
Mainoo had been the subject of much interest in the summer transfer window, with several clubs looking into the 20-year-old’s situation at Old Trafford.
Manchester United were unwilling to let Mainoo leave, despite the England international’s wish to explore a loan move late in the transfer window.
Ruben Amorim issues promises
In a week where promises have been reportedly broken with Andre Onana, Amorim has now issued a fresh promise regarding his team selection.
In his pre-match press conference ahead of the Manchester derby on Sunday, Amorim spoke to Manchester Evening News‘ Samuel Luckhurst.
In his press conference Amorim said: “I don’t want to be the guy that broke that record [Man United naming an academy graduate in every match day squad since 1937].
“If you see the past of Manchester United, it’s built on kids that grew up here and stayed here for a long time. I think that should be our goal in the future. So I will try to maintain that.”
This is good news for academy graduates, like Mainoo, who have seen their opportunities with the first team stagnate in recent months.
Kobbie Mainoo can solve Man United’s midfield issues
Amorim’s midfield balance has been a cause for concern in United’s opening three Premier League matches, with Fulham exploiting the midfield imbalances on numerous occasions in their 1-1 draw.
While Amorim likes his midfielders to have an expansive passing range, he also needs them to eat up large portions of ground throughout a match.
| Bruno Fernandes | Casemiro | |
| Long pass completion percentage | 56.9 | 66.7 |
| Progressive passes per 90 | 7.33 | 4.29 |
| Key passes | 12 | 1 |
| Passes into final 1/3 | 18 | 5 |
| Tackles + interceptions | 8 | 8 |
With Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro as the Portuguese head coach’s first choice pairing, United’s midifield lacks legs and positional discipline in rest defence.
Casemiro is past his prime, while Fernandes is ageing and a number 10 by instinct, not a deep lying number eight.
Mainoo could bring legs and a more natural positional sense to the midfield, helping to solidify Amorim’s midfield that has otherwise been leaky so far this season.