Kobbie Mainoo starred in a slightly different role in Manchester United's Europa League win vs Steaua Bucharest; Mainoo picked up a goal and assist playing as a No 10; is his newfound position the secret to helping him thrive?
Football Journalist williambitibiri. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player. Gone are the days of discernible roles, it seems. The rigours of the modern game mean midfielders must fulfil a variety of duties regardless of whether they are physically suited to them.
That feels like the case with Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo. The year-old's goal and assist in Thursday night's Europa League clash against Steaua Bucharest offered the revelation that Mainoo could be better suited to playing in an advanced role in midfield but was it staring us in the face all along? Mainoo's enjoyment playing further forward fed into the freedom that he was able to perform with on the night, something that his boss Amorim feels the midfielder has lacked recently.
Playing with the ball near the box, he is really good, the small connections. We need time to work with the players and understand the best positions for them.
He went on to start four games for the national side at Euro , including the final. For both United and England, Mainoo was deployed in a double pivot.
