Manchester United is about to enter its only truly busy fixture list of the season in December, and will do so (potentially) without two of its big summer signings.
Bryan Mbeumo is AFCON bound just before Christmas, and Benjamin Sesko’s return timetable is unclear after suffering a knee injury against Tottenham Hotspur two weeks ago. Manager Ruben Amorim noted that Sesko will be out of action for “a few weeks” in his Friday press conference, and while he noted that the injury wasn’t as serious as some
feared, it will still be a while before he returns to the lineup. Finding match fitness and form again is its own other question, and leaves a pretty sizeable front three question looming over the team.
One option discussed previously on this site is moving Bruno Fernandes back into a no. 10 role, which would make sense despite the winger demands of the position. Despite playing deeper, Bruno is still 97th percentile in shot-creating actions, and moving him closer to the goal could really boost a shorthanded front line.
Bruno’s absence in midfield could also be problematic, though, as he is one of the very few options for that role who can actually progress the ball with both passing and carries. His understudy, Kobbie Mainoo, is desperate for playing time, and it could be a golden opportunity for the former Golden Boy nominee.
Like another attacking midfield option, Mason Mount, Mainoo is typically more effective when receiving passes rather than dealing them out, but his midfield skills are not one-dimensional. He is a decent passer and creator, but he is excellent with the ball at his feet. He is confident as a dribbler and exceptional when moving into the final third.
The problem will be that Mainoo will not always be near the final third, and will have to pick up the slack on his defensive duties as well. If Amorim sees his future in the position, then he has to get used to it, and there may be no better time for a runout that suits both the player and the team.
The November-December schedule sees United face a host of teams in the middle class of the Premier League, as well as some sides battling to escape relegation form. Everton on Monday, then Crystal Palace, West Ham and Wolves, the latter currently on course for one of the worst Premier League campaigns ever.
If Mainoo can’t kick on against those teams, it’s hard to see him fitting into the midfield duo at all in Premier League play. That doesn’t mean there is no hope for the clearly talented youngster, and if it doesn’t work out perhaps there is still a chance with him switching roles with Bruno in this hypothetical setup.
Mainoo had some appearances at no. 10 last season to varying results, but that was a very poor United team full of players who were not used to playing Amorim’s way. Things may be different this time around, and his play in the final third could be a big boost without Mbeumo and Amad.
This is all merely a suggestion, but there is ample opportunity for exploring player roles and experimenting with combinations, and Amorim will need to find answers to continue the most positive run of form in his time in charge.
