After his first game as Manchester United manager came his first home game and now it’s time for the first Premier League home game.
Ruben Amorim will aim to repeat the Europa League trick and get a win at home in the Premier League at the first time of asking when they face Everton.
With this being Man Utd’s third game in a week, a pattern that will continue for at least the next 50 days or so, the need for rotation is paramount.
Amorim has already said that there will be extensive rotation in the weeks ahead and if that comes to fruition, then United’s biggest ace in the hole could be unleashed vs Everton.
Amad, Alejandro Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo of Manchester United arrives ahead of the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between Manches...
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Kobbie Mainoo yet to play under Ruben Amorim
Amorim’s gamble of starting with Erik ten Hag’s midfield pairing didn’t pay off in his debut game as Christian Eriksen and Casemiro failed to cope up with his demands.
Things were much better with Manuel Ugarte in that position as his energy and familiarity with Amorim’s system was exactly what was needed.
However, Bruno Fernandes started alongside him vs Bodo and his positional indiscipline cost United time and again. Due to his inclination towards playing forward most times, he was absent in defensive phases and Bodo’s cutbacks repeatedly found a player in their team.
United’s ideal midfield will be completed if Kobbie Mainoo starts alongside Ugarte as not only does he address Fernandes’ positional indiscipline, but he also brings calmness.
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Amorim said after the Ipswich game that Fernandes can’t be played in a deeper role all the time because of his propensity to play long passes all the time.
In contrast, Mainoo likes to keep it ticking with short and simple passes while still being capable of pinging it if the situation demands it.
There’s a poetic sense involved as well, with Mainoo making his comeback last season vs Everton, building up his form and confidence to eventually become the man of the match in the FA Cup final victory vs Man City.
Amorim’s ideal XI will be ready for Arsenal
With Everton at home the last game before United play their first “marquee” game under Amorim, away at Arsenal, the gameplan is clear.
He played with a makeshift team vs Ipswich, introduced some better players vs Everton, and will introduce some more vs Everton to lead up to Arsenal and play his best team.
That not only includes Mainoo, who should get minutes vs Everton to start against Arsenal but also Leny Yoro, who might make his debut off the bench against the Toffees.
Yoro had targeted the Arsenal game to return from the very beginning and so far, Amorim has been extremely cautious about bringing players back from injury and managing their workload.
Luke Shaw has also played some minutes off the bench in the past two games so a start for him will also be on the cards, perhaps as soon as Everton.
Smart physical management has seen this Man Utd squad finally go from being permanently in “panic” mode to “healing” mode as the manager no longer has to put square pegs in round holes due to the sheer unavailability of players.
Ten Hag was unlucky with injuries but if the situation improves under Amorim, the focus will be on his predecessor’s methods instead.
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