Manchester United fans praised one “silky” and “quality” player in Ruben Amorim’s tactical system in the Premier League clash against Aston Villa at Old Trafford.
Ruben Amorim’s men signed off their 2024-25 campaign in winning ways after Manchester United defeated Aston Villa 2-0 on the final day of the season.
Villa were reduced to 10 men against United before half-time after Emiliano Martinez’s wild challenge on Rasmus Hojlund led to a straight red card being shown.
United and Villa went into the break with a 0-0 scoreline on the board at Old Trafford before the Red Devils made the breakthrough in the second half.
Amad Diallo fired United into the lead in the 76th minute against 10-man Villa in Sunday’s Premier League encounter before the Red Devils added their second.
Christian Eriksen climbed off the bench in the second half and the Denmark and United midfielder dispatched a penalty in the 87th minute at Old Trafford.
United walked away with all three Premier League points and the Red Devils picked up their 11th league win from 38 matches in their disastrous 2024-25 season.
Amorim’s side climbed to 16th place on the final day of the season and United have ended the campaign with their worst finish in the Premier League era.
What Man Utd fans felt about Kobbie Mainoo’s performance against Aston Villa in the 2-0 win at Old Trafford
Kobbie Mainoo came off the bench after the break and the 20-year-old Manchester United midfielder replaced Diogo Dalot for the second half of the match on Sunday.
Amad Diallo shifted from the right-sided No 10 role to right wing-back after United manager Ruben Amorim hooked off defender Diogo Dalot due to an injury.
Mainoo took up his place as one of the two No 10s in Amorim’s tactical system for United and the Stockport-born player impressed against Aston Villa in the 2-0 win.
United fans on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, insisted that Mainoo showed exactly why he must transition to the No 10 role for next season.
One Red Devils supporter said: “Kobbie Mainoo in that right [No] 10 position was a beast today.”
While a second added: “Mainoo still got that silky touch. The [No] 10 position would be best for him in this Amorim system.”
“Mainoo can play [the No] 10, guys, and Amad is so obviously a RWB [right wing-back],” a third tweeted.
Another suggested: “Mainoo is like a controller in that [No] 10 position. Never seen anything like that.”
Someone else commented: “Mainoo is a No 10, in my opinion. If he can stay fit, he will be vital for us next season.”
And a sixth posted: “Once again, whoever said Mainoo doesn’t fit the system is hilarious. Even if we sell him, it can’t be because of [the] system.”
A seventh United fan claimed: “Kobbie Mainoo has been quality since coming on. He makes things happen and rarely wastes a ball. Much more suited to a more advanced role than CM.”
Somebody else argued: “Mainoo is so silky, man. I barely ever see him lose the ball. So strong and great feet, hard to get it off him. Takes smart risks; you can tell he hates losing the ball. I love players like that. Can’t wait to see how he develops and plays a role next season.”
Ruben Amorim speaks out after Man Utd’s Premier League win over Aston Villa at Old Trafford
Amorim acknowledged that United have had a “tough season” and the former Sporting CP boss has insisted that the Red Devils “will try to do better next season.”
Speaking to BBC’s Match of the Day (via BBC Sport), the United manager said: “It’s a special club with special people. We already know that.
“That’s why it’s so hard to disappoint them when we play badly. It was a tough season, but this club is more than this and we will try to do better next season.
“We need to acknowledge it will take time. We are going to suffer a little bit more, but better days are coming.
“We are changing things that you can’t see in the results. You can’t see today, but they are there. It’s in the culture. It’s the way we behave and do things every day.”
United’s 1-0 Europa League final defeat to Tottenham on Wednesday evening in Bilbao has left the Red Devils without European football for the 2025-26 season.
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