Ruben Amorim cut a frustrated figure at full-time as Manchester United left Brentford with all three points dropped for a third loss in six games.
Despite igniting some positivity around Old Trafford with the win over Chelsea, Ruben Amorim needed three points against Brentford to show progress is being made.
However, Manchester United completely capitulated and lost 3-1 to Brentford, who were by far the better team on the day.
Amorim revealed frustration after United’s defeat, admitting that the lack of control in the game was a big problem for him.
Speaking additionally, Amorim admitted the biggest concern he has is that his team didn’t settle the game down and control proceedings.
“We need to have those moments for us. In the last game we had that, especially at the beginning of the game. Today, my biggest concern is the way we didn’t settle down the game, to control the game, to play our game. We should do that more in the game.”
However, he already has the solution to this issue available to him, yet refuses to utilise it.
Ruben Amorim needs to start Kobbie Mainoo to solve the possession problem
For a manager who preaches about wanting to control games with the ball, picking a midfield pairing of Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte seems contradictory.
Both midfielders treat the ball like a hot potato most of the time, and it is therefore hardly a shock that neither can keep possession for the team.
However, Amorim’s words about settling the game down and playing the United game plan, opposed to being reactive, sound as though Kobbie Mainoo would be exactly what the team needs in the middle to control play and dictate.
Mainoo was a 65th-minute substitute, yet got on the ball almost as much as Ugarte did, and his dribbling and passing for a time did settle United down, with his quality oozing calmness to his teammates.
Every week, Mainoo shines in his cameo before being completely overlooked for the starting line-up the following week.
If Amorim wants his team to control the ball during games, he needs to pick players who excel at doing this; otherwise, complaining after the fact and learning nothing is lunacy.
Kobbie Mainoo could decide Ruben Amorim’s future at Manchester United
During the summer 2025 pre-season tour, Rio Ferdinand urged Amorim to build around Mainoo as the number 37 shone in midfield over in the USA.
If Amorim followed this instruction, Mainoo could define the next decade for United and, in doing so, decide whether the current head coach is a success or not.
Mainoo not fulfilling his potential is a stain on Amorim, one which United fans won’t stand for, with the thinking that any good coach fits a player so talented into his plans.
Amorim will be under huge pressure behind the scenes right now, as the results quite simply are not good enough, so next week against Sunderland, he needs to start Mainoo and control the game with a big win.
Otherwise, the international break could be a very long one.
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/FHIDKJw