Manchester United will look to build on the impressive performance against Liverpool last weekend by knocking Arsenal out the FA Cup.
Ruben Amorim and Manchester United are back in action again on Sunday afternoon, travelling to take on Arsenal in the FA Cup.
United drew 2-2 at Liverpool last week and turned in an impressive performance against the Premier League leaders.
That Anfield display simply cannot be a one-off though and United need to show some more positive signs against Arsenal.
United won the FA Cup last season but an away trip to Arsenal is just about as tough as the third-round draw could have been.
Amorim saw United lose 2-0 at Arsenal in December, conceding two set piece goals in a frustrating defeat at the Emirates Stadium.
- READ MORE: Five things to look out for when Manchester United face Arsenal, including potential meltdown
Ruben Amorim on Kobbie Mainoo
United need to start building momentum and fans will be looking for Amorim to keep a similar side to the one which drew at Anfield.
That includes the midfield partnership of Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte, which will hopefully be the future of the United engine room.
Mainoo has been the source of major speculation this week amid questions over his future at Old Trafford.
Chelsea have been linked with Mainoo and whilst Mainoo wants to stay at United, this speculation has been rather unwelcome.
Amorim will hope that Mainoo hasn’t been distracted in any way this week and has now commented on the 19-year-old’s development.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Amorim suggested that the media have Mainoo all wrong.
Amorim feels that many people believe Mainoo is already the finished product and a player United should be building around.
Amorim made it clear; Mainoo is far from the finish product and has a lot of developing to do moving forward despite being ‘really good’ right now.
“I think you guys feel like Kobbie Mainoo is the finished product, he is not,” said Amorim.
“He has so much potential to grow up even more. He is really good but he can be so much better. I think he is improving. All the players are improving,” he added.
Kobbie Mainoo can expect more competition in 2025
Most United fans would agree that Mainoo and Ugarte are the best combination in United’s midfield right now.
More competition is needed in 2025 though and midfielder is an area which could be of huge focus moving forward.
Casemiro is wanted in Saudi Arabia and Christian Eriksen continues to be linked away from United.
Both players are sadly past their best at this level and need to be moved on to free up wages and create room for new midfield additions.
Mainoo may well find that United add more quality in midfield and he has to fight and scrap a little more for a regular starting role.
The phrase ‘iron sharpens iron’ springs to mind here with Amorim potentially feeling that quality competition can really help take Mainoo’s game to another level.
Amorim clearly sees more in Mainoo and it’s important to remember that he is only 19 despite shining in so many Premier League games and playing in the Euro 2024 final.
Mainoo has the potential to become a star and we can only hope that he blossoms at Old Trafford rather than Stamford Bridge or anywhere else.
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