Kobbie Mainoo has enjoyed a meteoric rise over the past 18 months but Ruben Amorim believes the Manchester United youngster still has plenty of improvement to do
Ruben Amorim insists Kobbie Mainoo still has plenty to improve on – including his build-up play as the Manchester United youngster looks to build on his debut season. The teenager enjoyed a meteoric rise, but has had difficult moments in a struggling outfit.
Mainoo had gone from strength to strength, helping his boyhood club claim the FA Cup before going on to play in the Euros with England. This year he’s by no means been a guaranteed starter under Amorim, who has cited improvements he needs to make in his game.
Mainoo has started 15 Premier League games, albeit he has had injury issues this term, but Amorim maintains it is his job to maximise the obvious talent that the midfielder has.
The Portuguese manager insists the Englishman could be more creative when United are in possession and equally would like to see more pace from the midfielder. He said: “When I see Kobbie, I see a lot of talent. But in the way I see it, I could be wrong. I see some things that Kobbie has to improve.
“His pace in the game. He needs to improve in the build-up. Near the box, he has a lot of talent and that is why I think he did a really good game in the Europa League in that position. But I don’t see a full player at the moment; he is 19. If I say I have seen the final player, I don’t think I am helping Kobbie.”
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Mainoo, like the entirety of the United squad, has had to adapt to a unique system following the appointment of Amorim. The former Sporting Lisbon boss has been quick to implement his 3-4-3 formation, which places certain demands on the central midfielders, with the manager hoping to improve the academy star.
“I think in England sometimes they played with three defenders, so he can play,” he said. “We need to help him. Casemiro is playing better because we are understanding better the way Casemiro can play. I think we can do that with Kobbie. He is good on the ball and near the opponent’s box.”
Mainoo has been among the bright lights in Manchester over the past two seasons, which have largely been disappointing. Despite that there has been talk of him leaving Old Trafford with the club open to listening to offers for every player on their books in an effort to raise funds.
The 19-year-old signed a new contract in February 2023, which expires in 2027, with the option of an additional year and the MEN reports that United do not want him to depart. There are still more than two years remaining on his deal, but it’s understood his current wages don’t reflect his importance to the squad, with fresh talks held.
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