Manchester United star Kobbie Mainoo has opened up on the experience of playing in the number 10 role for the first time under Ruben Amorim.
Mainoo spoke to MUTV after United beat FCSB 2-0 to secure automatic progression to the knockout stage of the competition.
A goalless first half in which Ruben Amorim’s were arguably the better side was followed by a second 45 in which United’s quality shone through.
Diogo Dalot and Kobbie Mainoo scored within a few minutes of each other at around the hour mark, the latter also assisting the first, to secure all three points for United.
After the final whistle, Mainoo told MUTV about getting on the score sheet, “Any time to put the ball into the back of the net for United is amazing and hopefully there’s a few more coming.”
On assisting Dalot, Mainoo remarked, “An assist is just as important as a goal for me, so any time I can be involved in a goal for me, it’s amazing.”
Amorim has primarily used Mainoo in the midfield pivot but against FCSB, the Portuguese coach deployed him as one of the two most advanced midfielders, just behind the striker.
Mainoo was brilliant on the evening and unsurprisingly, fans want to see more of him in that role.
Asked about this, the England international replied, “There’s a lot more freedom and I felt comfortable out there, especially as the game went on. I got used to it a bit more and yeah, I was happy and I was enjoying it.”
He added, “It didn’t feel too new…I just hadn’t done it in a while, so I just had to get used to it for a minute.”
Ahead of Sunday’s meeting at Old Trafford with Crystal Palace, Mainoo stated, “Games just keep coming thick and fast, so we just got to get some sleep and get ready for the next one.”
United vs. Palace kicks off at 14:00 GMT.
Featured image Vasili Mihai-Antonio via Getty Images
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Derick Kinoti
Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the game extensively for many years. He is a keen analyst with expertise in SEO and journalism standards. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!
