Ruben Amorim has sent a concerning message about Kobbie Mainoo after he was an unused substitute during Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with Fulham on the weekend.
Manchester United were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw with Fulham in their second Premier League match of the season at Craven Cottage.
The visitors started brightly and nearly struck first through Matheus Cunha, while Fulham’s main threat came from set-piece situations.
United had a golden opportunity to take the lead before the break, but Bruno Fernandes failed to convert from the penalty spot. Early in the second half, Leny Yoro did find the breakthrough, finishing from a corner to put the Reds ahead.
Fulham responded strongly, though, and their pressure was eventually rewarded with an equaliser. The hosts continued to push and might feel unlucky not to have claimed a late winner.
Amorim explains why Mainoo was an unused substitute
Once again, Kobbie Mainoo was an unused substitute for United in this game while Manuel Ugarte came on when the Reds were trying to control the game.
Amorim’s substitutions were criticised afterwards and Mainoo’s absence has once again triggered question marks for the head coach.
But after the game, the United boss stated that Mainoo is challenging for the position with Fernandes in midfield, suggesting that Casemiro and Ugarte will play the other role in the midfield.
“He’s fighting for the position now with Bruno. When I changed, I changed it with Mason Mount there because we wanted to score a goal,” said Amorim.
“And when I changed it, I felt the team needed to return to one holder midfielder near Bruno, so he just needs to fight the position with Bruno. At the moment, he’s fighting with Bruno in training for that position.”
Amorim’s comments on Mainoo are concerning
The concerning part about those comments from Amorim is that Fernandes is United’s captain and star player. He never misses games through injury either.
If it is as black and white as he suggested – that Mainoo is simply challenging Fernandes for that no.8 role, then he’s not going to get many minutes at all.
The United boss found a way to introduce Casemiro to the team last season even though he didn’t look like he could fit into his system.
Adjustments need to be made to try and fit Mainoo into that midfield, as he makes the team play better. Neither Casemiro or Ugarte have been convincing enough and United have clear problems in that position.
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