After Manchester United’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester City, one thing became clear: Ruben Amorim can no longer ignore who needs to start playing a key role in midfield.
Four league games into the season, Amorim has yet to find the right balance in midfield, which is holding United back.
Part of the problem lies in the club’s failure to land him a mobile midfielder. But another glaring issue is Amorim’s stubbornness with his midfield selections.
Failed experiment against City
Against City, Amorim opted for a Bruno Fernandes–Manuel Ugarte pairing in midfield.
Most United fans knew the moment they saw that pairing that it was going to be a long 90 minutes.
Fernandes continues to struggle as a deep-lying playmaker against possession-dominant sides, while Ugarte has yet to adapt to the Premier League’s intensity.
The pair were never going to thrive against City, and they did not. They were overwhelmed as City swarmed the midfield.
Ugarte, in particular, looked isolated on the ball. His lack of composure in possession and poor ball progression made him more of a liability than an asset.
Promising Mainoo performance
United’s midfield was overrun for most of the match, but things looked marginally better when Kobbie Mainoo was introduced in the 62nd minute.
Despite Amorim’s earlier comments suggesting Mainoo needed to improve to break into the team, the academy graduate ended up being one of the few bright spots in a frustrating derby defeat.
With Mainoo on the pitch, United finally showed glimpses of control.
In just 28 minutes, he made two tackles, played two key passes, won all three of his ground duels, and completed his only dribble attempt.
It was a solid, all-round performance.
Kobbie Mainoo won every ground duel (3/3) and completed every pass (18/18) in the 28 minutes he played vs. Manchester City.
Should he start against Chelsea? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/Muhf8GIMfZ
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) September 15, 2025
Amorim may view Mainoo as still raw, but the youngster did far more than the manager’s preferred options.
While he may lack elite athleticism, there’s arguably no better ball progressor in the squad; his passing and ball-carrying ability speak for themselves.
In truth, Mainoo made Amorim look foolish, and it would be even more ridiculous to continue overlooking him.
Time to trust Mainoo
Thomas Tuchel recently said Mainoo lacks nothing but minutes, and against City, that rang true. Had he started, he might well have proved himself worthy of a place in United’s XI.
His cameo should be enough to nudge Amorim into experimenting with him in a midfield pivot.
Analysing the derby defeat, Mainoo delivered United’s best midfield performance. There is no other way to see it.
Amorim has offered plenty of reasons for not playing Mainoo. But after Sunday, he now has every reason to start him.
The Portuguese tactician claims to see Mainoo as an alternative to Fernandes. It is time to admit that Fernandes in central midfield simply is not working.
With Matheus Cunha sidelined playing the Portuguese Magnifico as a 10, then pairing Mainoo with Casemiro at central midfield could offer United a more balanced and effective pivot than any other combination currently available.
Until United sign their dream central midfielder, it will be trial and error, and Mainoo deserves his shot, for the benefit of the doubt and for the benefit of the team.
Featured image Alex Livesey via Getty Images
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Daniel Onguko
Since Dan was introduced to Manchester United in 2008, he has lived and breathed the club. What started as being a fan evolved into writing about United, allowing him to feel part of their journey. Hopefully, his work might even help rekindle your love for the kings of Manchester.
