Ruben Amorim greeted the performance of Kobbie Mainoo in a more advanced position when Manchester United FCSB defeated 2-0 to confirm a place in the Europa League last 16.
English midfielder Mainoo played in a “10” roll, instead of the deeper position he is used to, and he put on the opener for Diogo Dalot before scored the second himself in Bucharest.
United -Baas Amorim believes that he does not have to worry so much about his defensive tasks.
In conversation with TNT Sports, the Portuguese coach said: “I think we checked the game very well, we had more possession.
“We have to understand the opponent, with all due respect. It is not the same as the Premier League, you have more time to think.
“I think Kobbie played well in that position, he was more free, not so much responsibility to always run back.
“I can better understand my players. I put Kobbie in that position, we need time to understand the players, because he struggled a lot defensively as a midfielder.
“As 10 he was so free and played the ball by the box.”
These two #mufc || #Uel pic.twitter.com/2j3ecqinqj
– Manchester United (@manutd) January 30, 2025
Mainoo became the first united player to score and assisted at his first major European start since Wayne Rooney in September 2004.
His contributions helped united to achieve third place in the competition phase and to prevent them from having to play two extra games in the play-off round next month.
Amorim thinks that this will turn out to be enormously beneficial and give him time to work with his team on the training field.
“That is the biggest thing, more than the victory, is to have time to train and to restore players for playing in the Premier League. That is an important point for us,” he said.
“That is really important to us to have time to train and have the connection between everyone – even the staff.
“In the training we go to the field and get to know each other in the right environment.
“It is really important and then you can have a week to prepare again.”
Asked if he thought the victory was the evidence that his side began to adapt to his methods, Amorim said: “Of course we want to improve a lot as we play, we want to play a little closer than today – with an opponent that plays with more Pressure, more pace, more quality without the ball, you have to adjust the quality. “
Comments