One Manchester United star has been tipped to ‘force’ his way back into Ruben Amorim’s best XI but a clear tactical tweak is needed.
Manchester United have endured their worst Premier League start since 1992/93, collecting just four points from their opening four games.
That season, the Reds recovered to win their first of 13 league titles, but a similar revival looks unlikely this time.
Defeats to Manchester City and Arsenal, a draw with Fulham, and a solitary win over Burnley have left United struggling, compounded by a shock Carabao Cup exit at the hands of Grimsby Town.
Ruben Amorim’s rigid style and team selections are under increasing scrutiny, and the pressure will only grow as United prepare for their next test; a home clash with Chelsea at Old Trafford.
United star tipped to ‘force’ his way into Amorim’s best XI
Kobbie Mainoo has not started any of United’s opening four Premier League outings of the season after he was denied a loan exit in the summer transfer window.
Despite this, United legend Gary Pallister has backed the Academy star to ‘force’ his way into Amorim’s team in the coming weeks.
Pallister thinks that Mainoo had difficulties last term after expectations increased following his excellent debut campaign, but backs him to return to those impressive levels.
“Kobbie Mainoo burst onto the scene and won himself a cap in the England squad, which he fully deserved,” he told BetWright.
“When he first joined, there wasn’t too much expectation on him, but that has changed after he’s shown what he can offer on the pitch.
“You hear a lot about ‘second season syndrome’, where players struggle to live up to the expectations that have been set on them after a strong run of performances – I think that is what has happened to Kobbie.
“I’d love to see him back in the team, playing at his full potential. I’m happy that Ruben Amorim kept him at the club this season, rather than sending him on loan; I believe he can force himself back into the starting lineup.”
Amorim needs to make clear tactical tweak
Mainoo’s performance off the bench against Manchester City was promising and it feels inevitable that we will eventually see him partner Casemiro in the middle.
That pairing could give some extra solitity in the middle while Bruno Fernandes moves further forward. Mainoo and Casemiro have played well in a midfield pair beforehand.
But there will still be the issue of having just two midfielders and there is an obvious yet small tactical tweak which could fix that problem.
If he doesn’t want to move away from the three-at-the-back system, Amorim could look at using a 3-5-2 with the likes of Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha or Benjamin Šeško as split strikers.
Fernandes could return to his natural no.10 position while supported by Mainoo and Casemiro in the engine room behind him.
Amorim has made it clear that he will not rip up his plans because of the bad results, but this is not a significant change, and would help solve one of the biggest issues United are facing while also making a spot in the team for Mainoo.
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