Mason Mount has been waxing lyrical about one “unbelievable” Manchester United star who Rúben Amorim may elect to start against Athletic Club on Thursday evening.
Manchester United are gearing up for a massive Europa League semi-final first leg against Athletic Club on Thursday afternoon — a match that could prove to be a turning point in Rúben Amorim’s first season in charge.
United booked their place in the last four with one of the most dramatic nights of their campaign, overturning Olympique Lyonnais in style as Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo, and Harry Maguire scored in a frantic seven-minute spell to complete a 7-6 aggregate win.
Since that high, the Reds have stumbled in the Premier League. A narrow 1-0 loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers was followed by a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Bournemouth, rescued late on by Rasmus Højlund.
With their league form faltering, all attention now turns to Europe. United will finalise preparations in Manchester before heading to Spain on Wednesday afternoon, knowing a strong result in the first leg is crucial.
Mount full of praise for “unbelievable” Mainoo
United’s last fixture in the competition was one of the most hectic games in the club’s history, with three goals scored in under ten minutes, leaving the football world in awe.
Amid the pandemonium, it has gone somewhat under the radar just how good Mainoo’s finish for the equaliser was, with the player touching the ball perfectly before shifting to his right and unleashing a pinpoint curling effort into the far corner.
“When the ball drops in there, a yard feels like a mile,” Mainoo stated after the game. Speaking to club media, the 20-year-old’s teammate Mason Mount agreed, explaining that he feels Mainoo’s finish on the night was “unbelievable” and likened it to a goal the youngster scored against Liverpool last season.
“I mean, we’ve seen Kobs do it here at the Liverpool game,” Mount said. “Very similar. I see him say something after about in the box, like, a yard is like a mile, I think he said. And that’s true.
“In that moment, it kind of feels like slow-motion, that you take the ball and touch it. And obviously, unbelievable finish.”
Mainoo must be considered to start vs Athletic Club
After United’s 1-1 draw against Bournemouth, Amorim commented that he felt the south coast side played a very similar style of football to Athletic Club, with the two teams set up in a similar defensive structure.
It was a structure that United were only able to penetrate once they threw the kitchen sink at Kepa Arrizabalaga’s goal, and Bournemouth themselves went down to ten men, which is an unnerving warning sign ahead of facing a team with the fewest goals conceded in La Liga this term.
Mainoo played 65 minutes against Bournemouth, coming off at the same time as Casemiro, which suggests that the pair may be in contention to start in Spain, although Mainoo must start as part of the front three.
The England international is best when he is closer to goal, and his attacking prowess was on display in the Europa League earlier this season when he recorded a goal and an assist away from home against FCSB.
With Bilbao often favouring a solid defensive structure, Mainoo’s abilities in tight spaces and ability to link well with his teammates make him a much more valuable asset on Thursday evening than others in the position. Amorim must consider playing him from the start as part of United’s front three.
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