Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has shed light on the reasoning behind Kobbie Mainoo’s advanced role in their Europa League triumph over FCSB, citing the young midfielder’s defensive challenges.
United continued their dominant European campaign under Amorim, securing their fourth consecutive victory with a 2-0 win over the Romanian side. This result guaranteed them a top-eight finish and a place in the tournament’s last 16.
The breakthrough came in the second half when Diogo Dalot capitalized on a well-delivered low cross from Mainoo, finishing smartly at the back post. Just minutes later, Mainoo himself found the net, latching onto an Alejandro Garnacho cross and slotting home with precision.
Previously deployed as one of the two central midfielders in Amorim’s preferred 3-4-2-1 setup, the 19-year-old was instead utilized in a more attacking midfield capacity during Thursday’s clash. This shift saw Bruno Fernandes drop deeper into midfield, allowing Mainoo to flourish further up the pitch.
Following the match, Amorim praised Mainoo’s performance, acknowledging that the positional change allowed him greater freedom on the field.
“Kobbie played very well in that position,” Amorim told TNT Sports. “He had more freedom and wasn’t constantly tasked with tracking back.”
Addressing the tactical adjustment further in his post-match press conference, the Portuguese manager explained that Mainoo’s defensive difficulties led to the shift.
“We needed to assess our players and find the right positions for them. Kobbie was struggling defensively in midfield,” Amorim stated. “As a No.10, he had more space and freedom to operate near the penalty area. It’s all part of the process of understanding where each player thrives.”
Assessing his team’s overall performance, Amorim was pleased with their control of the match but noted areas for improvement.
“We dominated possession and dictated the tempo. Of course, the opposition wasn’t at the level of a Premier League side, so we had more time to build our attacks,” he remarked. “We kept a clean sheet, created chances, but we need to be more clinical in front of goal. Rotation was necessary, and we successfully managed our schedule. Overall, it was a positive day for us.”
Mainoo’s performance also caught the attention of former United player Robbie Savage, who encouraged Amorim to keep utilizing him in an advanced midfield role.
“For me, Kobbie Mainoo is best suited as a No.10,” Savage shared on TNT Sports. “He thrives in tight spaces and has great composure on the ball. I don’t see him as a No.6 in this current United setup. The big question is whether he’s creative enough to be a permanent No.10 or defensively strong enough for a deeper role. I think he fits best in a midfield three, but since United doesn’t play that system, he should definitely be pushed further forward. He was outstanding tonight.”
With a quick turnaround, United now shift their focus to their upcoming Premier League fixture against Crystal Palace, set to take place just three days after their Europa League success.
