- Manchester United hosted Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Sunday
- Ruben Amorim changed things up and played Kobbie Mainoo as a false nine
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Many eyebrows were raised when the Manchester United starting XI was announced for Sunday’s clash with Crystal Palace with Kobbie Mainoo apparently being played up top.
There was confusion as the team sheet was posted on social media with no recognised No 9 to be seen despite Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee being fit and available.
Mainoo’s name was listed at the bottom of the XI, implying that he would be in a forward role.
And he was seen taking part in the attacking drills at Old Trafford, seemingly confirming that he would be playing as somewhat of a false nine.
And that is exactly how he was deployed as the game kicked off with United looking to close in on the Premier League’s top 10.
It almost paid off straight away as the young Englishman received the ball in the area and saw his strike come back off the upright.
Kobbie Mainoo started up front as Ruben Amorim made a surprising tactical change
Ruben Amorim spoke to to PLP about his starting forwards ahead of the game, saying he wanted to try something different.
‘Try to play in different positions, to create some danger. We also want to improve the way we take the game in the last third – we need to have more possession.’
Commenting on Kobbie Mainoo’s advanced role, he said: ‘I like him with the ball. Sometimes you have more space in the build-up phase.
‘I think he’s a good player because he can hold the ball. He is very good one against one and he is creative. We need creativity in the last third.’
