Manchester United boss says the young midfielder is “so good sometimes but can be better”
Ruben Amorim has urged Kobbie Mainoo to increase the pace of his game if he wants to take his football to the next level.
Mainoo broke into the Manchester United first team two years ago and was so impressive that pundits tagged him as the next big talent and the future of Manchester United and England’s midfield.
He quickly earned an England call-up and became an important part of Gareth Southgate’s team that reached the final of Euro 2024.
However, the player has since struggled, especially under Amorim’s revamped 3-4-3 where it has not been quite clear where he fits. He has played as a No 6, a No 10 and even a false nine.
“I think he can play in both positions (No 6 and No 10) in the midfield,” said Amorim. “Last year, he played more in front.
“His perfect position is more near the ball, always with the ball. He’s a big talent, and you guys know better than me that he is a big talent.
“He needs to increase the rhythm, the pace. I’m always on top of that with Kobbie because he is so good sometimes, but he can be better.”
If he is to play in the No 6 role, Mainoo will face competition next season not only from Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte and Toby Collyer, but also the ever-present Bruno Fernandes, whom Amorim apparently wants to play in a deeper role in the 3-4-3.
Last season, Fernandes often played as a left-sided No 10 in the system. That role now looks like it will be occupied by United’s £62.5m signing Matheus Cunha. The club’s other summer signing Bryan Mbeumo could rightly be expected to occupy the right-sided No 10 role.
Mason Mount, who expects to put down a marker next season, also brings added competition to those positions.
Amorim said: “It’s one game per week and the competition is going to be huge. Everybody has to be prepared to play one game, or play all the games. That is a key point in our season.”
