Ruben Amorim handed ideal scenario to transform Manchester United player

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Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho suffered the same Manchester United fate in Bilbao. Goalscoring heroes in the FA Cup final a year ago, they were both on the bench for the Europa League showpiece against Tottenham, but while Garnacho reacted with petulance, Mainoo kept his head down.

Internally, the academy graduate must have been seething. At least Garnacho was given 19 minutes to change the game. Mainoo emerged as an 89th-minute substitute, with barely any time to influence a final.

It was Garnacho who stopped in the mixed zone to let rip at the decision and seal his Old Trafford exit. Mainoo kept his counsel and looks likely to remain at the club, although uncertainty over his contract remains an ongoing issue.

The two 20-year-olds have followed similar paths in recent years, from FA Youth Cup triumph to forcing their way into the first team. When they scored those goals at Wembley against Manchester City, they were considered 'untouchable' in a window when almost every other player was up for sale.

By January, the club were ready to listen to offers and cash in on one or both to boost their PSR position and Amorim's transfer budget. The interest in Garnacho was most concrete, and now he will be the one to go.

But what of Mainoo? What does the future hold for the Stockport-born midfielder who was even shining for England in Euro 2024? He has had a difficult season, and it's become clear Amorim doesn't yet have complete faith in him.

To plot his future, Mainoo will first need to know where he will be playing. Amorim has talked of him as more of a No. 10, comfortable in operating in small spaces, and has even played him as a striker, but that position is well-stocked even with Garnacho's departure. The additions of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo only add to the competition.

Mainoo returned to a deeper midfield role towards the end of the season. It has long been where he was expected to play, but after shining as an attacking midfielder in Bucharest in January, Amorim was critical of his defensive work.

"We need time to understand the players, he was struggling a lot defending as a midfielder," said Amorim. "Now more as a ten you can feel that he was so free, playing the ball near the box is really good, the small connections. We need time to work with the players and understand the best positions for them."

Amorim has since had more time to work with Mainoo, but appears no closer to deciding his best position. He wants players who are flexible, but there is a clear need for him to specialise. It is also obvious that United are in greater need of No. 6.

Bruno Fernandes' long-term future could lie there, but Manuel Ugarte hasn't totally convinced and Casemiro could leave this summer. Developing Mainoo for this position would solve a couple of problems for Amorim.

Next season is the ideal time to do just that. The lack of European football means more time on the training ground. Amorim and his coaching staff will seek to use that time well, and turning Mainoo into the complete No. 6 should be one of their top priorities.

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