Kobbie Mainoo shone for Manchester United against Man Cityplaceholder image
Kobbie Mainoo shone for Manchester United against Man City | AFP via Getty Images
Man Utd changed formation against Man City and it worked a treat as they blew away their noisy neighbours.
“We wanted to play to our strengths."
Michael Carrick only needed seven words to explain his Manchester United tactics after they blew Man City away at the weekend. It was not the first time United have secured a euphoric home win against a big rival in recent years, but this was one of the few occasions when they did so on their terms.
Pep Guardiola had to admit the 'best team won' and the only complaint United could have was that they only managed to score twice. They had three further goals disallowed for offside, hit the woodwork twice, and forced Gianluigi Donnarumma to have an exceptional day in the City goal. On another day, it genuinely could have been four or five.
United still looked at their best on the counter-attack, but they were not reduced to those fast breaks due to limitations; rather, it was by design. Carrick reverted to his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation, not only because it suited him, but it suited his players. It even made one of them look like a new signing.
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Mainoo shines in United midfield
Kobbie Mainoo has been one of the main talking points of Manchester United’s season so far, and he played an integral role in their derby demolition. The 20-year-old made just his first Premier League start of the season and took full advantage of the opportunity with a complete midfield performance.
In his preferred central role, Mainoo enjoyed 50 touches of the ball, completed 31 passes, won six duels, won two tackles, and sent one effort on target. His mobility and craftmanship with the ball were the perfect complement to Casemiro in the more refined defensive role, while he also provided Bruno Fernandes the platform to excel in his ideal attacking midfield role.
This was never going to happen under Ruben Amorim. Although the Portuguese coach felt Mainoo could play as either an attacking midfielder or a defensive midfielder, he actually only trusted him to play in the same central role he saw for Fernandes. It was detrimental to both the team and the individuals. Amorim’s commitment to the formation meant that Fernandes was not used to his optimum, and Mainoo was rarely used at all. Carrick rectified that instantly with a simple system switch, and the team immediately improved.
While some supporters will still sympathise with Amorim over the lack of power he was given in his role, the fact that Carrick found an immediate solution to such a huge issue makes you question why United stuck with the Portuguese head coach for so long. Sure, there will be tougher tactical assignments on the horizon, but it was so simple that by playing their best players in their best formation, United played better football.
At a time when there is so much scrutiny on United’s midfield and the club is expected to spend big to refresh it this summer, the academy graduate sent a timely reminder of his untapped potential and the talent they already have to work with. Perhaps it is no longer a case of two elite signings this summer, but just one to complement who they already have.
A month ago, Amorim predicted it might only take two days for Mainoo’s fortunes to change. It only took one match for that prophecy to come true.
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