Manchester United continue to be disappointing in their Premier League campaign even under new manager Ruben Amorim.
Their latest 2-0 loss to Crystal Palace at home left them in 13th position in the league table with 29 points from 24 matches and highlighted a tactical flaw regarding Kobbie Mainoo.
There have been some impressive results like the draw against Liverpool at Anfield and the victory on penalties over Arsenal at the FA Cup, however, if the good performances do not come consistently, it does not bode well for a club like Manchester United.
Kobbie Mainoo as a False Nine?
The Red Devils played with Mainoo as the false nine in their 3-4-3 against Crystal Palace.
Bruno Fernandes played in a deeper position alongside Manuel Ugarte to allow Mainoo to play in an advanced position.
It was quite a surprising move, to say the least.
Mainoo has a good offensive game, with his passing and positional sense being really good, especially for a player of his age.
However, with Fernandes in the side, it did not make much sense to start with him as the false nine.
Amorim’s ploy to play with a back-three implies that the defenders should be solid enough and the wing-backs should be making overlapping runs quite frequently.
That is the idea behind playing with a 3-4-3 or a 3-5-2 formation.
However, in reality, we see that United are letting in goals in almost every match and their wing-backs are not making enough inroads into the opposition defence.
Diogo Dalot is being compelled to play on the left flank as a wing-back despite having a stronger right foot.
Noussair Mazraoui does not seem to be very comfortable making overlapping runs.
However, the signing of left wing-back Patrick Dorgu should allow Dalot to play as the right wing-back more often.
Therefore, moving forward, Manchester United should depend a lot on Fernandes to provide the creative spark.
That can only be possible if the Portuguese midfielder plays as the No. 10 or a false nine. Mainoo is not equipped enough – at least, as yet – to undertake that job for his club.
Still, it is Amorim’s decision and he might be sticking to it, just as he did with the one to drop Marcus Rashford from the playing XI.
However, as of now, there is hardly anything to suggest that this move is going to reap any reward for the team.
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Manchester United’s Breezy February
United will take on Leicester City in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Friday, February 7.
They will then take on Tottenham Hotspur, Everton and Ipswich Town in the Premier League this month.
Spurs are going through a rough patch themselves and find themselves a place below United in the league table.
Everton are enjoying a resurgence in their form under David Moyes and might prove to be quite a difficult opposition.
However, Ipswich Town should be an easier opposition and might allow United to collect three valuable points.
Winning matches is essential for the Red Devils at the moment, and it remains to be seen whether they are able to turn things around under their young manager.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Sports Press Photo
Recording Date: 02.02.2025
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