Ruben Amorim names two Manchester United players who ‘have to improve’

Ruben Amorim has named two Manchester United stars who ‘have to improve’, admitting he does not view Kobbie Mainoo as a ‘full player at the moment’.

Mainoo enjoyed a breakout season at Old Trafford last year, establishing himself as a firm fans’ favourite and earning a place in England’s squad for Euro 2024.

The 19-year-old midfielder impressed for England out in Germany, starting the European Championship final which the Three Lions lost to Spain.

But Mainoo’s development has stalled this season due to problems with form and fitness.

The England international has missed the last two months of the season through injury and Amorim, speaking at a pre-match press conference on Wednesday evening, insisted he needed to be ‘careful’ with Mainoo’s reintroduction.

Amorim opted to play Mainoo as a No. 10 earlier in the season and even as a false nine in one game after revealing his concern over certain aspects of his game.

Ahead of Manchester United’s Europa League quarter-final against Lyon, Amorim listed some of the areas Mainoo needs to improve to become a ‘full player’.

‘When I see Kobbie, I see a lot of talent,’ Amorim said. ‘But the way I see it – and I could be wrong – but I see some things that Kobbie has to improve.

‘His pace in the game. He needs to improve in the build-up. Near the box, he has a lot of talent and that is why I think he did a really good game in the Europa League in that position.

‘But I don’t see a full player at the moment; he is 19. If I say I have seen the final player, I don’t think I am helping Kobbie.’

On Mainoo’s fitness, Amorim said: ‘In this moment, we have to be careful with Kobbie.

‘He had some games out so we have to be careful with his fitness. We are really pleased with him, but we have to be careful with him.’

Amorim also discussed Joshua Zirkzee’s form at Manchester United, insisting he is ‘improving and showing good things’.

Netherlands international Zirzkee has endured a difficult first season in the Premier League following a £36.5m summer move from Bologna.

‘I think he is improving in all aspects,’ Amorim said. ‘I think he needs to be more selfish and that is a thing when you play as a striker.

‘He is not a typical striker but he has to be more selfish. He is more aggressive now, he works better now, he is defending better now, he is connecting quite well.

‘He played as a striker against Arsenal and did really, really well. In the games against Sociedad, he played more as a No.10. He is improving and showing good things.’

The Europa League offers Manchester United not only the chance to lift some silverware but also a route back into the Champions League.

Discussing the threat of quarter-final opponents Lyon, Amorim added: ‘If you look at the numbers, it is quite simple.

‘Lyon are faster, stronger and bigger than Sociedad. Since [Paulo] Fonseca came here, they are winning most of their games, scoring more goals and conceding less.

‘They are a strong team physically, but they have a type of game that is based on possession.’

Asked about the importance of winning the Europa League, Amorim said: ‘It is really important in all aspects.

‘The first one is to win a title, a European title. It will be nice for our confidence.

‘Then to play in the Champions League in our club is completely different; the environment, the way we are going to face the summer, the budget for the summer, everything is connected with this competition.

‘We know that pressure but again, it is not the biggest problem in United. We have other strengths to get this in the right way without Champions League next year.’

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