Ruben Amorim outlines two things he wants from Kobbie Mainoo next season, ‘he needs to…’

It promises to be a huge season for Kobbie Mainoo.

The Manchester United midfielder struggled throughout last term after suffering an injury setback in pre-season.

Kobbie Mainoo never picked up for his incredible debut season that saw him score in the FA Cup final win over Man City at Wembley.

Unfortunately, Mainoo was unable to reach those heights last season as United suffered a turbulent campaign.

The Reds lost the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur and finished 15th in the Premier League, diminishing any chance of Champions League football for a second consecutive season.

Mainoo isn’t the only one at United hoping for a better season, because that will apply to Ruben Amorim and every single one of the players.

An improvement must come from all of United’s first-team members, with the addition of new signings Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.

Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images

Ruben Amorim demands Kobbie Mainoo improvement

There are many question marks over how Amorim is going to utilise Mainoo this coming season.

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The worst-case scenario for United fans would be to see Mainoo used as PSR bait like Scott McTominay last year, before he delivered a Serie A title at Napoli.

Amorim has now admitted he is “always on top” of United starlet Mainoo to increase his rhythm and pace on the ball.

That is essentially what he wants from the young midfielder next season, admitting that he has what it takes to play the two midfield positions in his system.

Last season, the 20-year-old was trialled as one of the two playmakers in Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 formation and even started up front in United’s 2-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace in February.

“I think he can play in both positions in the midfield,” Amorim told reporters in Chicago.

“Last year, he played more in front. I think his perfect position is more near the ball, always with the ball.

“I think he’s a big talent and you guys know that better than me, that he is a big talent. I think he needs to increase the rhythm, the pace. I’m always on top of that with Kobbie because he’s so good sometimes, but he can be better. So I have big plans but, like I said, it’s one game per week and the competition is going to be huge.

“Everybody has to be prepared to play one game or play all the games. That is the key point in our season.”

Amorim clarifies Bruno Fernandes’ position at Man Utd

Another player raising lots of questions at the moment is club captain Bruno Fernandes.

It seems there will be a shift with Fernandes next season, and he won’t play as a number 10 any longer following the signings of Cunha and Mbeumo.

Reporters were keen to get Amorim’s views on Fernandes ahead of the new season.

He said: “He can be [in deeper midfield]. We can change in game but I think sometimes we miss Bruno when he’s playing as a no.10. I think it’s a good position for him.

“I really like when Bruno has the ball and if you have the threat of Bryan, Rasmus, Matheus in the space, if you have a player with the quality of Bruno without pressure on the ball, it gives us quality.”

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