One of Manchester United’s youth players could solve Ruben Amorim’s attacking problems after producing a brilliant display for the under-21s
Despite an improvement in performances, Manchester United still appear to lack the attacking presence to seriously hurt Premier League opposition.
In United’s last two games, they have registered 39 shots but have failed to convert any of their chances. Ruben Amorim will feel his side should have won both games, after impressive performances against Nottingham Forest and Manchester City, but they came away with just a single point.
While it is clear a striker needs to be signed in the summer transfer window, Amorim needs to win games now and United’s academy could present the solution.
Chido Obi is the obvious striker candidate to come through the academy, but many fans believe a new number 10, to play behind the centre-forward, is also necessary.
Alejandro Garnacho and Joshua Zirkzee have been mainstays in the attacking midfield roles in recent months. Bruno Fernandes has also played there, but some fans believe he now plays his best football as a deep-lying playmaker.
Jack Moorhouse “not lost on Amorim”
To regular viewers of United’s under-21s team, Jack Moorhouse will not be an unfamiliar name. He has become a regular this season, playing across Travis Binnion’s midfield three.
Either in the double pivot alongside Sekou Kone or playing as a number 10 behind Obi, Moorhouse has shown his quality and why he should be given his debut sooner rather than later.
His standout attribute is no doubt his dribbling, the young midfielder can drive through the opposition like they aren’t there, appearing to get quicker and quicker the further he carries the ball.
The Republic of Ireland youth international is well known to Amorim and his staff, especially for his unworldly dribbling. Nathan Salt has recently described Moorhouse as “the best carrier of the football in the academy” with his ability “not lost on Amorim and his staff”.
It has also been reported by MailSport that there is a growing confidence at the club that Moorhouse will make his first-team debut before the end of the campaign and is also in line to appear on United’s pre-season tour.
Moorhouse is perfect profile for Amorim
While the under-21s don’t play the same system as the first team, Moorhouse is a perfect profile for several positions in United’s midfield.
In the midfield pivot, the young midfielder could play alongside Casemiro or Manuel Ugarte in the absence of Kobbie Mainoo. His ball-carrying ability will ease United’s progression problems and allow the team to move the ball quickly from defence to attack.
Moorhouse could also play behind the striker in the front three, his dribbling would occupy multiple defenders and leave more space for the other number 10 and the centre-forward.
The poor performances from Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund should pave the way for a new attacking debutant and Moorhouse should be Amorim’s first choice.
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