The Old Trafford bench cannot bury Mainoo

Mainoo is still the jewel of MU.

An opening day defeat, a 1-0 defeat to Arsenal, and Kobbie Mainoo sitting on the bench for 90 minutes. That alone is enough to raise concerns among some Manchester United fans: is the academy gem being forgotten under Ruben Amorim?

But if you look carefully and analyze the tactical picture, this is not an alarming signal at all.

Tactical choice, not indifference

In the defeat to Arsenal, Amorim started with Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro in the middle. When Casemiro was out of form, he replaced him with Manuel Ugarte in the 65th minute. That left Mainoo without a chance to play, but the reason was clear: Ugarte has a defensive, competitive and midfield shielding skill set that is better suited to dealing with Arsenal’s pressure. Mainoo simply wasn’t the right “piece” in that situation.

Notably, in the summer friendlies, Mainoo started twice, both times alongside Ugarte. When Fernandes was pushed into the No. 10 role, Mainoo became the choice in the deep playmaker role. In other words, Amorim experimented with many options and still made room for Mainoo in the overall picture.

Since arriving at Old Trafford, Amorim has been fiddling with Mainoo’s position. But during the US tour, he made his views clear: “He can play in many roles, but his best position is where he touches the ball a lot, always close to the ball.”

That statement explains a lot. Amorim doesn’t see Mainoo as a purely moving “shuttle midfielder”, but rather as a pace setter. That means he will compete directly with Fernandes for the deep-lying playmaker role. On the other side, Casemiro and Ugarte compete for the “anchor” position.

Ruben Amorim is being very cautious in using Mainoo.

This is a clear definition that can help Mainoo develop in the right direction. He is not a “multi-tasking supporting actor” who is dragged from one role to another, but is placed in the right position to develop his ability to pass the ball, escape pressure and handle tight areas.

Mainoo is only 20, clearly not quite there yet. Playing so much early can sometimes be counterproductive, leaving players easily overwhelmed or making mistakes that are difficult to recover from. Amorim, with his philosophy of discipline and gradual development, seems to want to manage more wisely: no rush, no pressure.

Not playing in the opening match, therefore, cannot be considered a sign of “abandoning”. The proof is that the Portuguese coach always talks about Mainoo with expectations: he praises his talent, affirms his potential, but also frankly points out the areas that need improvement – ​​processing speed and rhythm. That is how Amorim puts positive pressure on his students, both motivating and setting standards.

Long journey, many opportunities

If Mainoo is still on the bench come November, then the concern will be justified. But at this point, it is too early. This season, Man United are still competing in the Premier League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup. Although the schedule is not as dense as when there was European Cup, there will still be opportunities for Mainoo to rotate.

More importantly, he has proven his worth in the 2023/24 season: a confident debut at Goodison Park, a decisive goal in the FA Cup final against Man City. Those moments are clear evidence that he is capable of shining on the big stage.

Mainoo is not only a young talent, but also an icon. He is a “child” of the Carrington academy.

Mainoo is not only a young talent, but also an icon. As a “child” of the Carrington academy, he represents the fans’ belief in the youth development tradition – something that Man United has been proud of for many years. Therefore, every decision related to Mainoo is always scrutinized, and any neglect is likely to escalate into controversy.

Amorim understands that. He cannot afford to let the gem languish on the bench. But at the same time, he has to strike a balance: how to let Mainoo develop at the right pace, without being overwhelmed by too much expectation. This is the challenge of a head coach - both protecting the young player and keeping the audience's trust.

The season-opening defeat to Arsenal was a warm-up, not a verdict. Mainoo hasn’t played yet, but that doesn’t mean Amorim has written him off. Instead, it can be seen as a preparation – testing structures, clarifying roles, and then gradually giving them opportunities.

If Mainoo is truly a player, he will find his place. Fans should remember: legends started out on the bench. Patience is key – from both players and fans. Because if Amorim gets it right, Mainoo could be not only the future, but the core of United’s present.

Source: https://znews.vn/ghe-du-bi-o-old-trafford-khong-the-chon-vui-mainoo-post1578701.html