Man Utd fans all saying same thing about Kobbie Mainoo after performance vs Everton, one point is clear for Ruben Amorim

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Manchester United fans have made their feelings clear on Kobbie Mainoo after the England star’s first match under Ruben Amorim against Everton at Old Trafford.

Ruben Amorim took charge of his first Premier League match at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon after arriving at the Red Devils from Sporting CP last month.

The 39-year-old Portuguese manager took charge of Manchester United and oversaw a 1-1 draw against Ipswich Town after the November international break.

Amorim, who inked a contract with United until June 2027, then picked up his first Red Devils victory as manager after a 3-2 win over Bodo/Glimt at Old Trafford.

Following on from the Europa League win against Bodo/Glimt on Thursday evening, the United manager turned his attention to Everton’s visit to Old Trafford.

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Mainoo starts for Man Utd at Old Trafford

Kobbie Mainoo has been out of action for Manchester United in recent weeks and the England midfielder missed several matches due to injury.

The 19-year-old United player was on the sideline during the interim managerial spell of Ruud van Nistelrooy, who took over after Erik ten Hag was sacked.

Mainoo had a breakout season at Old Trafford in the 2023-24 campaign and the United star was a linchpin midfield figure under former Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag.

The Three Lions international made his long-awaited return from injury and Ruben Amorim wasted no time starting Mainoo in the heart of midfield alongside Casemiro.

Mainoo, whose last appearance for United came in October ahead of the Everton match, produced a solid showing in the heart of midfield against Sean Dyche’s men.

The Stockport-born United star appeared more confident as the match progressed and as Amorim’s men established their dominance over Everton at Old Trafford.

READ MORE: Ruben Amorim singles out two Man Utd stars who have been playing at highest ‘intensity,’ his philosophy fully works

Man Utd fans react to Mainoo vs Everton

United fans on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, praised Mainoo for his showing on his first Red Devils start since returning from injury.

However, Red Devils supporters were left convinced that the pivot between Casemiro and Mainoo is no longer effective in the United midfield.

Casemiro made way in the second half after a lacklustre showing and was replaced by Alejandro Garnacho, while Manuel Ugarte came on for Bruno Fernandes.

United fans believe that Amorim must shift to a Manuel Ugarte and Mainoo partnership to strengthen the Red Devils midfield in the 3-4-2-1 formation.

“Too much space between Casemiro and [Mainoo], any big team will hurt us, don’t try that again, Amorim; Ugarte and Mainoo should be our pivot,” one fan said.

Someone else added: “He’s [Casemiro] so slow, mate, in every single way and, TBF, Mainoo looks like he is pulling a caravan as well, so you can’t play them together.”

Another X user wrote: “I feel like this Casemiro-Mainoo pairing is the weakest [combination] for Amorim so far.”

“Ugarte and Mainoo [are] the midfield pair we need going forward,” a fourth tweeted.

While a fifth commented: “I want to see Mainoo and Ugarte pair in that middle.”

Somebody else suggested: “You will never [have] the best of Kobbie Mainoo playing him with Casemiro or [Christian] Eriksen.”

A seventh claimed: “Feel like Casemiro’s slow performance today [is] punish[ing] Mainoo on the pitch.”

And an eight said: “I can’t believe some were suggesting Kobbie Mainoo wouldn’t fit into this system and yet we are [five] times better with him in the team.”