One of Rúben Amorim’s current crop could explode at Manchester United next season after proving the head coach right against West Ham.
Rúben Amorim’s Manchester United secured their first pre-season win with a 2-1 result over West Ham in New Jersey, as Bruno Fernandes struck twice to lead the Reds to victory.
United started brightly in the sticky East Coast heat, with Rasmus Højlund hitting the outside of the post inside the first two minutes. Fernandes soon gave them the lead from the penalty spot after sustained early pressure.
Amad thought he had added a second before half-time following some dazzling footwork by Manuel Ugarte, but the goal was ruled out for offside. Fernandes’ spot-kick separated the sides at the break.
After the restart, Fernandes doubled the lead with a clever lob over Alphonse Areola, following a high press and interception from Kobbie Mainoo.
Jarrod Bowen gave West Ham hope with a tidy finish midway through the second half, but Amorim made a full sweep of outfield substitutions to steady the game and see out a well-deserved win.
Amorim feels Mainoo has a new perfect role
Last season, Mainoo made only 37 appearances, in part due to injury and falling out of favour under Amorim amid the fantastic form of Fernandes, Casemiro, and others. Questions have also been raised about his best position on the pitch within Amorim’s 3-4-3 formation.
However, when asked for his plans for the midfielder across the coming season, the United head coach reiterated that he still feels Mainoo will have a big part to play in midfield.
“I think he can play in both positions in the midfield,” the United boss said on Friday. “Last year, he played more in front. I think his perfect position is more near the ball, always with the ball. I think he’s a big talent and you guys know that better than me, that he is a big talent.
“I think he needs to increase the rhythm, the pace. I’m always on top of that with Kobbie because he’s so good sometimes, but he can be better.
“So I have big plans, but like I 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 the key point in our season.”
Mainoo proved Amorim right vs West Ham
After coming on in the second half against Leeds United last week, Mainoo started against West Ham and played 65 minutes, paired with Ugarte in the midfield. At the same time, Fernandes, Højlund, and Matheus Cunha operated on the front line.
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Mainoo’s performance was fantastic. With United dominating more of the ball, Mainoo was able to play just as Amorim predicted. As he was near the ball, it was clear to see that the head coach’s claim that his “perfect” position was evident, with the English international dictating the tempo.
He also had his fair share of aggressive moments off the ball, looking to force high turnovers, one of which resulted in the club’s second goal of the night.
Amorim has a big decision to make in the coming weeks surrounding who his ideal midfield pairing will be before the start of the season, as Fernandes, Mainoo, Ugarte, and Casemiro have all shown themselves to be viable candidates in recent months, while signing a new midfielder is not out of the question, either.
However, if United can continue their dominance on the pitch that they showed against West Ham and Mainoo can continue to have the ball at his feet, he will very well explode back onto the Premier League scene next season.
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