Sky Sports pundit Alan Smith has criticised former Man Utd head coach Ruben Amorim for his treatment of Kobbie Mainoo.
The 20-year-old has played on a regular basis following Amorim’s departure, and asked by Best Betting Sites UK about Mainoo’s form, Smith said he can’t understand why Michael Carrick’s predecessor froze out the player:
“Mainoo comes back in and hits the ground running, looking like the player that got picked for England, and it just shines a light on how crazy it was for Amorim to leave him out, stick him in the wilderness, really. Whether something went on behind the scenes, I don’t know, but he’s come back in, Mainoo, and next to Casemiro, that’s a nice blend. It allows Bruno Fernandes to play in a slightly higher position.”
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“Casemiro, he’s kind of enjoying a farewell tour, isn’t he, at Man United at the moment. But he’s loving life, really enjoyed it at the weekend against Fulham. And I wouldn’t be surprised if both go to the World Cup. We haven’t got, from England’s point of view, we haven’t got too many quality central midfielders. So, maybe Mainoo’s got a good shout.”
The formation switch has helped Mainoo
Smith actually provides the key reason why the midfielder has featured more under Carrick. Changing from 3-4-3 to 4-3-3 means there is room for an additional option in the middle of the park.
Amorim made it clear that he saw Mainoo as Bruno Fernandes’s backup, but the two now complement each other, with Casemiro holding the fort.
Man Utd are keen to open talks over a new contract
It wasn’t long ago that the England international was pressing to leave Old Trafford, but it now appears the Red Devils are prepared to hand him a contract extension.
Mainoo’s current deal expires at the end of the next season, although the club do have an option to extend his stay for another twelve months.
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