22 months in football is a long time, and this is no clearer than when considering the situation at Manchester United.
Erik ten Hag was the manager of Manchester United 22 months ago, with the Dutchman having a squad drastically different from that which Ruben Amorim now possesses.
Ten Hag had Alejandro Garnacho becoming a United superstar, along with Kobbie Mainoo emerging as the world’s best young midfielder, and Rasmus Hojlund was in his only hot streak for the club.
During this 2023/24 campaign, all three combined as United beat West Ham 3-0 at Old Trafford, the last time the Red Devils beat the Hammers.
This game also saw the birth of what many expected was a new era and a new ‘trinity’, with a statue-worthy celebration.
Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo on the advertising boards.
Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Manchester United’s new trinity has fallen apart
It was an incredible moment back in February 2024 when United thrashed West Ham, and it really felt that the trio of Garnacho, Hojlund and Mainoo would lead the club back to the top of the sport.
WHAT went WRONG for Alejandro Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Hojlund?😳
All three looked like stars in February 2024…
Amad, Alejandro Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Hojlund with FA Cup.
Photo by Eddie Keogh – The FA/The FA via Getty Images
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The trio posed on the advertising board together, with many thinking it would be an image fans would look back on fondly.
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However, as has been the case often in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, it was a false dawn for United, and this ‘trinity’ fell apart.
Hojlund is on loan at Napoli, where Antonio Conte has them Champions League-bound, which would trigger their mandatory buy obligation.
Meanwhile, United sold Garnacho to Chelsea in the summer, with Amorim not keen on his attitude. With his presentation at Chelsea, even being on an advertising board, his celebration he has tried to make a trend.
Only one of the three remains, that being Kobbie Mainoo, and even he is hanging on.
Manchester United can rebuilt a new trinity but it must involve Kobbie Mainoo
While Mainoo is the only one of the three still at the club, he is currently on the verge of seeking a move due to being underused by Amorim.
Push comes to shove: Would you rather have Kobbie Mainoo stay at Man Utd or Ruben Amorim?
Kobbie Mainoo and Ruben Amorim split
Credit: James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
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Mainoo has grown frustrated by a lack of minutes for United, and he could leave on loan in January, but Amorim cannot let this happen.
The 20-year-old is one of the best midfielders in the league and has the potential to be a world-beater, but only if the coaches give him that opportunity.
Mainoo should start against West Ham this week, and it would be a perfect chance to re-establish himself as a starter for United.
Perhaps Shea Lacey will even join him to form a new Carrington duo, then all they need is a third.
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