Midfielder Kobbie Mainoo was an unused substitute on Sunday as Manchester United drew with Fulham at Craven Cottage. When United boss Ruben Amorim made changes during the game, the first was to drop Mason Mount into a deeper role for Casemiro as Benjamin Sesko came on. Then Manuel Ugarte replaced Mount as United looked for a winner.
Midfielder Kobbie Mainoo was an unused substitute on Sunday as Manchester United drew with Fulham at Craven Cottage.
When United boss Ruben Amorim made changes during the game, the first was to drop Mason Mount into a deeper role for Casemiro as Benjamin Sesko came on. Then Manuel Ugarte replaced Mount as United looked for a winner.
Mainoo seems to have slipped back quite a way since his 2023-24 breakthrough campaign under Erik ten Hag, when he scored in the FA Cup final and started for England in the Euro 2024 final.
Judging by who the 20-year-old is in direct competition with in the United squad, according to Amorim, the midfielder might be in for a frustrating few weeks.
"He's fighting for the position now with Bruno [Fernandes]," said the Portuguese.
"I changed two midfielders. I left Mason Mount there because we wanted to score a goal - and when I changed again, I felt the team needed to return to one holding midfielder near Bruno.
"He just needs to fight for the position with Bruno, as it should be at Manchester United. He will play with Bruno [as well] but, at the moment, he's fighting in training with Bruno for the position."
Unless Fernandes is moved into one of the number 10 roles new signings Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo presently occupy, it is difficult to see Amorim dropping his captain.
Category: General Sports
