Ruben Amorim had his lowest moment (so far?) at Manchester United as his side was knocked out by Grimsby on penalties, and while the focus was on Kobbie Mainoo, his teammate’s case was even more interesting.
A bad result for Man Utd reflected even worse on Ruben Amorim, because the player he didn’t seem to rate at all, Kobbie Mainoo, was the best of a bad bunch.
Even that is grasping for positives after a game where Amorim looked completely defeated and deflated.
Trusting Mainoo more in the middle of the park to play with Bruno Fernandes is a good first step, but another Man Utd ace showed he can be of use in a completely different role.
It can solve a big tactical problem going forward.
Matthijs de Ligt, Amad of Manchester United in action during the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Grimsby Town and Manchester United at Blundell Park on August 27, 2025
Photo by Zohaib Alam – MUFC/Manchester United via Getty Images
Matthijs de Ligt shows positive skills
What was expected to be Manchester United’s big strength coming into the season is having teething issues with adaptability.
Bryan Mbeumo and Amad haven’t played together that much, and both of their tendencies to come inside on their stronger left foot are hurting the width down that side.
Against Grimsby, Amad started at No. 10 with Diogo Dalot behind him, but Dalot has failed to convince for far too long already.
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When Amorim made a half-time sub and shifted Dalot to left wing-back instead, Amad went to right wing-back and Mbeumo came on as the No. 10.
However, more than the rekindling of that partnership, it was the third-man runs of Matthijs de Ligt that caused the most havoc down that side.
De Ligt came on for Tyler Fredricson in the right-sided centre-back role that was defensive in name only.
He repeatedly overlapped Mbeumo, providing a passing option in acres of space as Grimsby didn’t know whether to mark him or double-up on Mbeumo.
With Amad not having his best game, De Ligt functioned effectively like a flying wing-back does in a back-four formation.
He finished the game with three shots and five touches in the opposition box despite coming on only at half-time, adding a unique dimension to an attack that was rattled by Grimsby’s physicality to that point.
Ruben Amorim accidentally stumbled upon a working formula
Granted, it was a game against a fourth-division side where United didn’t have a choice but to throw the kitchen sink at them, but there was still a major learning.
Amorim’s team selections have been extremely defensive, but what transpired in the second half against Grimsby showed that he needs to loosen the reins a bit.
With Bruno Fernandes and Mainoo dictating play in the middle, Mbeumo running with the ball, the wide centre-backs making overlapping runs, and Benjamin Sesko making a nuisance of himself, United looked like a threat.
At this point, he really has nothing to lose by going gung-ho and trying to score as many goals as possible, because this team is not capable of seeing out games.
Not only will that get some fans back on his side, but it also suits this team’s characteristics the best.
Amorim has built a team in reverse, and that situation demands that he turn this outfit into a glass cannon that tries to outscore the opposition.
Playing full-backs as the wider centre-back or using De Ligt’s newfound attacking skills, there is the way to go.
After all, it really can’t get much worse than what happened against Grimsby.