Kobbie Mainoo is going above and beyond to improve bond with Man United teammate Manuel Ugarte

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Ruben Amorim appears to have found the perfect long-term midfield partnership at Manchester United.

The 3-4-3 system played by Ruben Amorim at Manchester United relies on two energetic, technical midfielders in the heart of the formation.

In Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte, the Red Devils have exactly that. During United’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool on the weekend, the midfield pair were nothing short of superb.

Ugarte had his best United display at Anfield, and he was so good that club legend Paul Scholes was ‘surprised’ by Ugarte having previously watched him at PSG.

To emphasise just how important the midfield duo is to Amorim’s system, Christian Eriksen and Casemiro were slammed by fans for their role in the 2-0 defeat to Newcastle. The difference between that performance and the one at Anfield was night and day.

Kobbie Mainoo has started learning Spanish

Since Ugarte’s £42m summer move to United, he has been slowly settling in and his performances have continued to improve over the first half of the season.

The same can be said for Ugarte’s relationship with Mainoo in midfield. The pair work well together and their best performance came in the draw to Liverpool, where they dominated the trio of Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Curtis Jones.

• Manuel Ugarte dominated but his 44-touch teammate had his best game of the season vs Liverpool

The improving relationship between the duo could be down to Mainoo’s developing language skills.

According to Manchester Evening News, Mainoo started taking Spanish lessons last season which will help to break down the language barrier between him and several teammates, including Ugarte.

The report adds that Ugarte’s English has been improving and is described as a “good conversational level” but Mainoo is taking extra steps that will only improve the bond in midfield.

Kobbie Mainoo’s Man United contract update

News of a star player learning a new language is usually not news that fans like to hear, but there is no suggestion that Mainoo will be leaving Old Trafford anytime soon.

Back in November, transfer expert Graeme Bailey told United in Focus that talks for Mainoo’s new contract were advancing.

While much of United’s squad is up for sale in 2025, Mainoo is one of six unsellables in Amorim’s squad.

READ MORE: MUTV pundit praises Kobbie Mainoo impact vs Liverpool, he changed the game from the third minute

Mainoo’s current deal is valid until 2027, but United are eager to reward the academy star with a bumper deal that reflects his importance to the squad.

Hopefully a new deal is signed and announced before the end of the season.