Ruben Amorim acknowledged that he “always followed” MU midfielder Mainoo to help this player strengthen the pace and speed when there was a ball.
Mainoo has gone through a difficulty 2024/25 season when he had to take a break of about 4 months due to two different injuries and lost his position in the starting line -up after Amorim was appointed in November.
The 20-year-old was tested as one of the two players in the 3-4-2-1 scheme of Amorim and even kicked the striker in the 0-2 defeat at home to Crystal Palace in February.
MU has too many midfielders to attack after the arrival of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, and Mainoo may have to fight to regain his position in midfield.
“I think he can play in both positions, in midfield,” Amorim said. “Last year, he played more upwards. I think his perfect position is closer, always shadow.”
“I think he is a great talent, and you know me better that he is a great talent. I think he needs to increase the pace, speed. I always follow Kobbie about that, because sometimes he is very good but he can be better.”
“So I have big plans. But again, as I said, a match every week, the competition will be very large, and people have to prepare well to play a match, as well as all the matches. It is a key point in our season.”
Mainoo rejected MU's first new contract offer at the beginning of the year and his current contract had a maximum term to 2028.
The adult player from this academy signed the closest contract with MU in February 2023 when he was 17 years old and was only 2 appearances for the first team.
