Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has to plan for two huge games this week against Bayern Munich and Liverpool.
The sight of Casemiro returning to Carrington was a welcome sight for Erik ten Hag this week, however, the Brazilian is not expected to be available for selection just yet.
Manchester United’s midfield has come under a lot of scrutiny this season, and supporters are convinced that the manager’s set up is the root cause of the problems.
Scott McTominay and Bruno Fernandes just don’t work together in this attacking system, and Ten Hag needs to adopt a more measured approach. He will have to against Liverpool, with Fernandes suspended.
Get Mainoo and Amrabat together
Ten Hag must re-think his approach, and this means picking two players together who have not played a single minute alongside each other yet this season.
Sofyan Amrabat and Kobbie Mainoo have been utilised in an ‘either or’ fashion by the manager.
Against Everton it was Amrabat who replaced Mainoo, and also at Newcastle. While against Galatasaray, Mainoo replaced Amrabat.
In the past two games, Mainoo was left out entirely for Amrabat, with Ten Hag insisting on just the one holding midfielder.
But with a tough run of games upcoming, Ten Hag ought to take a more measured approach.
One of the attractions of signing Amrabat was that he could provide more structure to tough Manchester United matches, especially away from home, by partnering Casemiro.
Until the Brazilian returns, his best midfield partner is youngster Kobbie Mainoo.
And some will feel it should be Mainoo pairing with Casemiro in midfield.
But for now, it is Mainoo and Amrabat who are the best available pairing, and it seems to be madness they have not played a single minute together this season.
The match with Bournemouth seemed like an ideal time to trial it out. Instead it only further exposed why they are needed together, with the manager’s cavalier approach backfiring.
Ten Hag must trust duo
Amrabat and Mainoo both have balance and composure to their games, and can compliment each other very well. They deserve a chance before Casemiro returns, and they can do the Brazilian a favour, by proving the two-man pivot works.
United’s infamously over criticised ‘McFred’ midfield did provide a solid base, and was just criticised for a lack of quality and composure in possession.
Both Amrabat and Mainoo have these qualities, and they can thrive together if given the chance.
Unfortunately, if they do play together this week, it’s a case of ‘straight into the fire’ with very tough fixtures, and no snap judgments should be made if it doesn’t work out. They are a pairing Ten Hag should trust, and not turn to one minute, and then break up the next.
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