One Manchester United icon has backed a “phenomenal” star to shine at Old Trafford alongside new signing Matheus Cunha.
Manchester United had a very difficult season last term and a lot of players seemed to struggle under Ruben Amorim after his November arrival.
One of those players was Kobbie Mainoo, who also struggled with injuries across the campaign. He quickly became one of United’s best players after emerging from the Academy in 2023/24.
Mainoo has originally starred in a midfield three under Erik ten Hag but many feel like his role in the team is less defined in Amorim’s 3-4-3 formation.
Despite these struggles, Mainoo has been backed to bounce back and succeed at Old Trafford next term by one club icon.
United icon backs Mainoo to shine
Lee Sharpe spent eight years at United and knows all about being a young and exciting talent within the club. He is optimistic about Mainoo’s future, alongside some others.
After highlighting the exciting trio of Chido Obi, Ayden Heaven and Leny Yoro, Sharpe detailed that Mainoo is an ‘ideal fit’ as one of the no.10s in Amorim’s system.
While new signing Matheus Cunha is set to operate from the left, the United icon believes that the 20-year-old could be great on the right side.
“I’m always an optimist when it comes to United. I’m hopeful that there are some good young lads coming through. You have Chido Obi up front, Heaven and Yoro in defence who are young and have potential. It’s good to see the young lads coming through,” Sharpe told Aceodds.com.
“Kobbie Mainoo struggled with fitness after a few injuries and I believe they’re working on making him more athletic. At times he seems to struggle getting up and down the pitch but as a number ten I think he’s an ideal fit.
“In tight areas I think he’s phenomenal. Him and Cunha in the ten roles would be great. He’s unbelievable on the ball and looks after it so well. He’s a player I want to see stay and get used to more often.”
Amorim already knows about Mainoo’s ability
It seems like Amorim already holds the same opinion as Sharpe in that Mainoo’s best role is as one of the no.10s. He used him in that position most of the time in the back-end of last season.
The 20-year-old shined in that position when he was first stationed there against FCSB in the Europa League. He scored and assisted in a 2-0 win.
“Now more as a ten you can feel that he was so free, playing the ball near the box is really good, the small connections,” Amorim said of Mainoo after that game.
“He played in a different position, with more freedom, more near the box. He’s so technical, he can change the game there.
“So, I think it’s a good position for him, we will see. But I’m happy to see Kobbie enjoy the game more. Sometimes, he’s worrying about the recovery [runs], trying to defend and I know that he’s trying. Today, I felt Kobbie enjoyed the game more and I am happy for that.”
Of course, it is likely that United also sign Bryan Mbeumo and he would mostly play in that right-sided no.10 role, but Mainoo will get minutes on the pitch in the advanced areas and in the deeper position too.
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