Man Utd faced West Ham in New Jersey and Ruben Amorim handed a start to Kobbie Mainoo in the centre of midfield.
Steven is a senior writer and covers Manchester United for the Manchester Evening News. You can follow Steven on Twitter at @StevenRailston.
United pose for a team photo at the MetLife Stadium.(Image: 2025 Premier League)
On Saturday, Kobbie Mainoo returned to the stadium where he announced himself to the world.
Mainoo was just 18 when he started against Arsenal at the MetLife Stadium in July 2023, and that summer preceded an outstanding breakout campaign for the Stockport-born midfielder.
During that tour of the United States, it was obvious Manchester United had a supremely talented young player on their hands. Mainoo looked unfazed playing in front of 82,500 fans and his laid-back nature endeared him to Erik ten Hag, who had no qualms about playing him in the Premier League.
Mainoo was rewarded with a place at Euro 2024 for his performances during his first full season, but his second year as a first-team player didn’t go as planned and the new campaign feels big for him.
The 20-year-old has not consolidated himself in Ruben Amorim’s preferred starting XI, partly because of injuries and partly because Amorim doesn’t seem to know his best position.
Mainoo has played as a No.10, a striker and in deeper midfield in Amorim’s system. That hasn’t been conducive to Mainoo showing his best form, but Amorim appears to be close to settling on his role this summer.
The youngster came on from the bench against Leeds in Stockholm to play in the pivot and subsequently started in that role against West Ham. Mainoo was excellent against Arsenal at MetLife Stadium in 2023 and was hoping to deliver a similar display at the scene where the world recognised his potential.
Some believe Mainoo does not possess the athleticism to operate in central midfield, but there were promising signs against Leeds and further positives to build on against the Hammers.
Mainoo’s best position has been a point of discussion.
Mainoo’s range of passing isn’t utilised when he plays as a No.10. However, when he starts in the deeper role, he can play like an NFL quarterback, orchestrating play and picking passes to start attacks.
Amorim needs to settle on a role for Mainoo because it’s impossible for him to find his rhythm when his position is changed each week, and the 40-year-old has admitted Mainoo needs to be close to the ball.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Amorim said: “I think he can play in both positions, in the midfield. Last year, he played more in front. I think his perfect position is more near the ball, always with the ball.
“I think he is a big talent, and you guys know better than me that he is a big talent. I think he needs to increase the rhythm, the pace. I’m always on top of that with Kobbie, because he is so good sometimes but he can be better. So I have big plans. But again, like I said, one game per week, the competition is going to be huge.”
Amorim made wholesale changes on the 65-minute mark and Mainoo was brought off. It’s fair to say he didn’t dazzle as he did against Arsenal 24 months ago, but that performance was a high benchmark.
The question is whether Mainoo can be as effective in Amorim’s system as he was when Ten Hag was in charge. Amorim is trying to fit Mainoo into his plans because he is too talented to leave on the bench.
The remaining pre-season fixtures will provide further clues on Amorim’s thinking, but it seems he is leaning towards the conclusion that Mainoo is best suited to playing in midfield.
Provided Amorim can get the best out of Mainoo, he could be like a new signing.