Kobbie Mainoo: Amorim should start Man United ace against Brentford | OneFootball

Ruben Amorim is slowly getting his act together at Manchester United. The Portuguese head coach has endured a torrid time since arriving at the Theatre of Dreams in November last year.

A 15th-placed finish in the Premier League, coupled with a 1-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final, painted a very poor picture of his tenure at Old Trafford last season.

However, INEOS backed him over the summer, bringing in multiple new faces, and the performances have immediately improved this campaign. While the Red Devils are not at the promised land yet, early signs are certainly promising.

One area that remains Amorim’s bane, though, is the midfield. Despite interest in multiple new faces over the summer, United ended the transfer window without signing a new midfielder. The Portuguese as such, has had to make do with the options at hand.

Casemiro’s red card has complicated matters

Amorim’s 3-4-3 system requires two dynamic midfielders to forge the pivot that is the heart of the team. The former Sporting manager has deployed Bruno Fernandes in a deeper role this season following Matheus Cunha’s arrival, while Casemiro has been his regular partner in the league.

Amorim also has Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte in his roster for the job, but they haven’t enjoyed a regular run in the first team.

Bruno and Casemiro started the hard-fought 2-1 win over Chelsea last weekend, where the Brazilian picked up a red card. With Casemiro now ruled out for the upcoming game against Brentford on September 27, Ugarte looks like his logical replacement.

Amorim already deployed the Uruguayan alongside Bruno against Manchester City, and while the 24-year-old midfielder did well, they still lost the game 3-0. The Portuguese head coach has previously stated that Mainoo is competing with Bruno for a place in the starting XI, but it’s time to unleash them together against the Bees.

A generational talent

Mainoo rose through the ranks at Old Trafford before exploding onto the scene under former manager Erik ten Hag. The Englishman was so promising that he soon broke into the Three Lions squad and even started the Euro 2024 final.

However, things have gone haywire since Amorim’s arrival at United, with the player reportedly asking to leave this summer. United, of course, refused to let him go, but the situation remains tense.

There remain questions whether Mainoo fits the Portuguese head coach’s tactics, although it is believed that he could modify his game to suit the role.

With Casemiro now unavailable, Amorim has the chance to try out the Bruno-Mainoo partnership in midfield, which operated briefly in the defeat against Grimsby Town.

Calmness on the ball

Mainoo is gifted with the ball and is extremely press-resistant. His ability to work the ball in tight spaces makes him a good answer to Brentford’s pressing tactics.

The Bees have retained their style of play under Keith Andrews and are unlikely to give United any time on the ball, especially at home. Amorim needs players who can be decisive in possession, which is why he should turn to Mainoo.

The Englishman is composed in possession and can change the dimension of the game with a quick turn or a simple vertical ball. Ugarte, in comparison, is more of a destroyer.

Double Trouble for Brentford

The prospect of facing Bruno Fernandes is a daunting task for any opposition at the moment. The Portuguese Magnifico has been in inspired form once again this season, despite operating from a deeper role.

Pairing him with Mainoo will only compound Brentford’s trouble and throw their strategy out the window. The Bees will have to divide their focus on two creators, who are very different in their approach.

Mainoo’s ball retention will help Bruno find pockets of space in the opposition third. Bruno’s industry will ease the defensive burden on the Englishman.

The duo could work in unison to overcome Brentford’s first press, which would open up space between the lines. During the Bees’ set pieces, United will have two players who can retain possession and ignite quick breaks.

Move not devoid of risks

Of course, deploying Mainoo and Bruno together in midfield has its share of risks, because a lot could go wrong. Both players tend to drift forward, which could leave the defence vulnerable.

Bruno works best with a physical midfielder like Casemiro or Ugarte, who can cover a lot of ground during breaks. Bruno’s forward runs could leave Mainoo isolated. The Englishman, meanwhile, could struggle to cope with the physical aspects of the game, especially against Brentford.

Interestingly, the experienced Jordan Henderson could exploit the spaces behind the duo, and the Bees’ physicality could see them easily win the battle in the middle of the park.

Keith Andrews’ side also thrives on long balls, and without a recognised ball winner like Ugarte, United could struggle to mop up the second ball. That would definitely work to the home side’s advantage.

Amorim, however, could take a more tactical approach to nullify the risks. He could ask a wing-back to cut in and help out in midfield during defensive transitions. He could even ask one of his defenders to alter their approach and keep an eye out for breaks from the opposition.

A signal of trust

Brentford have endured a shaky start to the new season and have managed just one win in their first five games in the Premier League. Their confidence is also low following the 3-1 defeat at the hands of Fulham over the weekend. Mainoo’s inclusion in the team could help United strike the iron while it is hot.

Despite the risks associated with the move, it is pivotal for Amorim to finally unleash the Bruno-Mainoo partnership against Brentford.

The move would add a new dimension to United’s approach and help them keep control of the ball away from home. It would also help improve the Portuguese head coach’s relationship with Mainoo, whom United cannot afford to lose.

The Englishman has already shown maturity beyond his years, and there’s no reason why he cannot adapt his game to suit Amorim’s demands. All the youngster is asking for is a chance to prove his mettle, and that should come against the Bees.

Mainoo could very well turn out to be United’s secret weapon at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Featured image Shaun Botterill via Getty Images

online polls

Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social