Ruben Amorim has been criticised not only for flawed tactics but also for his bizarre selection calls this season.The Manchester United head coach has kept utilising Bruno Fernandes in a deeper role, ...
Ruben Amorim has been criticised not only for flawed tactics but also for his bizarre selection calls this season.
The Manchester United head coach has kept utilising Bruno Fernandes in a deeper role, despite the club captain’s unhappiness with his new position.
Fernandes is not the same attacking force when operating as part of a double pivot, with fans and pundits calling for Amorim to reinstate Kobbie Mainoo in the middle of the park.
Despite running the show as the defensive midfielder under Erik ten Hag and for the England national team in the previous European Championships, Amorim does not feel the Englishman has it in him to operate there.
Amorim clearly does not rate Mainoo
The Carrington graduate is also behind Fernandes in the pecking order for the No.8 role, which has meant the 20-year-old has not started a single Premier League game this season.
He was desperate to leave in the summer, but INEOS blocked his exit. But with the 2026 World Cup just months away, the England international is keen to make the cut.
And for that, he has to be playing regularly, which does not seem to be on offer at Old Trafford. Mainoo is expected to push for a January move as well and he has his eyes on a move to Napoli.
Having seen former teammates Scott McTominay and Rasmus Hojlund transform their fortunes at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, the United wonderkid will be keen to follow in their footsteps.
If push comes to shove, INEOS are unlikely to accept anything but a simple loan but journalist Emanuel Cammaroto, via Area Napoli, suggested that the defending Serie A champions are working on a loan with an option.
“The Africa Cup of Nations ends on January 18th. The transfer window opens on January 1st. It’s not easy to secure a signing in that area of the pitch right away.
Mainoo to Napoli?
“Right now, the spotlight is on Di Lorenzo’s replacement, whom Napoli wants to sign to strengthen the right flank for the present and future.
“The strong temptation is to sign Mainoo, but we need to see if United are open to a loan with an option to buy. The parties are working on it.”
Hopefully, Amorim includes Mainoo more in the starting lineup moving forward to avoid such a scenario. Clearly, Casemiro does not have the legs while Manuel Ugarte’s form has dropped off a cliff since his move to Manchester.
Otherwise, the club risks losing yet another academy graduate, who is bound to shine be it at the Theatre of Dreams or somewhere else.
Feature image George Wood via Getty Images
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Category: General Sports
