Do you not think that is something we have been trying to do?
Whatever happened to Mainoo?
Seems like only last year he was the best young CM in the world? Some even said generational talent?
Is there a method to his madness of playing bruno and Casemiro in a midfield 2. He's hardly trying to force the clubs hand into buying a midfielder as we head into the final week of the window
I think the club have put the groundwork in in trying to get ahead of the expected pack assembling to vie for Baleba.
I think we’ll be saving our pennies for that one (or an alternative if we can’t get him) next summer.
OP, do you really think a midfielder would fix the issues you refer to?
I don't think Bruno and Casemiro have been terrible (I thought it would be a complete disaster)... But they are never gonna win you leagues. Casemiro doesn't have the legs to go 90 mins every game and Bruno is just not a CM specialist. Then his subs actually weaken an already delicate balance.
So yea, we need a CM, probably two really, for this formation.
We are in a place where our best player is considered undroppable and is very hard to fit into a formation the manager has set in stone. Something has to give.
The worry thing was listening to the Fulham players saying how they planned all week to exploit the space behind our two man midfield, changing the personnel doesn’t change this weakness in Amorims system other than the fact we could be more direct and aggressive from midfield with the ball going forward than we are.
Amorim is so rigid in his thinking no matter how badly we’re struggling like most of the second half yesterday he won’t tactically change it was just a last year performance all over again with some different players, once the opposition have worked us out about 20 mins in we’re out of the game, over run in midfield and passing to nobody.
comment by Franko Cantona (U22187)
posted 18 minutes ago
The worry thing was listening to the Fulham players saying how they planned all week to exploit the space behind our two man midfield, changing the personnel doesn’t change this weakness in Amorims system other than the fact we could be more direct and aggressive from midfield with the ball going forward than we are.
Amorim is so rigid in his thinking no matter how badly we’re struggling like most of the second half yesterday he won’t tactically change it was just a last year performance all over again with some different players, once the opposition have worked us out about 20 mins in we’re out of the game, over run in midfield and passing to nobody.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Tactically he did change it yesterday, though, several times.
You can keep the same formation and make tactical adjustments. He did that with three different sets of subs yesterday, at least.
We need at least two midfielders as we do every summer, not just one because the players we're using aren't good enough and/or the right fit and Amorim obviously doesn't fancy Mainoo. I don't think the two can coexist at United.
Even if we do upgrade in midfield before the window closes, will it be enough because we're still suffering from similar issues which were present under Ten Hag in which the two central midfielders are tasked with far too much space to cover.
It's quite easy for teams once they settle down and weather that initial period of momentum because they know if they outnumber us centrally and keep possession, they'll eventually gain some control and start creating chances.
If he doesn't bring in at least one midfielder before the window closes, he may well regret doing so because he may not get another chance.
Again as long as Bruno MUST play, there's very little to do in that midfield but hope he somehow creates more goals than the goals we will inevitably concede. In making Bruno some god for us, we are really only just trying to build a team around him. If that was the case we should have just gone and brought back Ole. He's not even getting subbed even in his worst.
Not moving on from Bruno is really the real problem with Amorim. The falacy that he (and some experienced failures, in Shaw and Mount) are somehow foundational will lead to his failure. Expecting a 3-4-3 manager to change his style completely is ludicrous.
Btw in all these, the ignored issue is having a team so light, we cannot win any physical battles. Who is Mount or Bruno going to bully in an attacking struggle? Why are we having corners/ set pieces were Bayandir is literally one on one with the biggest effing defenders after they've bumped off Shaw, Amad, Bruno or Mount? We cannot compensate for their weakness with attacking which is really not good enough especially when they cannot win battles in one of the most physically challenging leagues in the world.
I find it hilarious that people think two good midfielders would change our fortunes.
You could've had prime Casemiro and prime scholes in there and they'd still be overran because the game would just bypass them.
Any team with 3 players in and around the centre is always going to overpower 2 players.
We are in a place where our best player is considered undroppable and is very hard to fit into a formation the manager has set in stone. Something has to give.
....................
This is a huge problem that is only going to magnify as the season goes on.
comment by Ali - 🇪🇦 🏴 (U1192)
posted 8 minutes ago
I find it hilarious that people think two good midfielders would change our fortunes.
You could've had prime Casemiro and prime scholes in there and they'd still be overran because the game would just bypass them.
Any team with 3 players in and around the centre is always going to overpower 2 players.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
It's possible... Look at Chelsea in the Kante days.. (or any team he played for, actually)... But those players are few and far between.
It also doesn't help that he is playing with Mount, Mbeumo and Cunha in front of Bruno.
Mount is occupying the areas Bruno would if he was playing his normal position and was also occupying the areas Bruno should be playing as a CM. This does not help either Dorgu or Amad as there was no one in the box.
Too many timed Dorgu had to pass it back to Mount as he had no one else to pass the ball to.
I saw yesterday stories about Bruno having secret meetings with a SA club. Would people be happy if we got £100m + for Bruno and spent it on Baleba? Would a partnership of Baleba and Mainoo be better than Bruno and Cas?
No you need a new manager, the new AVB has taken 27 points from 28 games. That isn’t good enough for a club like Utd, now you can come up with all the excuses you like but the buck stops with the manager. 7 wins from 28 league games including 2 wins against relegated teams, he’s so far out of his depth it’s painful to watch.
comment by WeekendOffender (U22920)
posted 3 hours, 28 minutes ago
Whatever happened to Mainoo?
Seems like only last year he was the best young CM in the world? Some even said generational talent?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Our manager.
Should’ve hooked Bruno yesterday.
He will be gone before Turkey season if he carries on with Bruno.
comment by Elvis (U7425)
posted 19 minutes ago
I saw yesterday stories about Bruno having secret meetings with a SA club. Would people be happy if we got £100m + for Bruno and spent it on Baleba? Would a partnership of Baleba and Mainoo be better than Bruno and Cas?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Personally I think it would be a no brainer. In this current system, you need two proper athletes and all-rounders in CM. Fulham's goal was Bruno not tracking his runner into the box, which would be bread & butter stuff for a CM with natural defensive nous.
If we reverted to a system that suits Bruno, we'd then be shunting Cunha into wider position that is not his best. Bruno is a fantastic player who will always post good numbers but sometimes you have to let a player like that go to evolve and develop the collective. For that sort of money at his age and with our financial issues and squad needs, it ticks a lot of boxes.
Bruno won't play every game in CM, just like Cunha and Mbuemo won't start every game at 10.
2 games in guys, and still a week of the window to go.
It's not just Bruno's position but his creativity in that position. Granted, his creativity has been stifled by playing him deeper, but for me it's always been about who else provides that creativity in the squad if it's not Bruno?
If the answer is Cunha and Mbeumo, maybe even Mount or all combined, then fair enough. But is that the case?
comment by Playmaker (U22780)
posted 6 minutes ago
It's not just Bruno's position but his creativity in that position. Granted, his creativity has been stifled by playing him deeper, but for me it's always been about who else provides that creativity in the squad if it's not Bruno?
If the answer is Cunha and Mbeumo, maybe even Mount or all combined, then fair enough. But is that the case?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Best way to find that out is to continue relying on Bruno for everything while no one else gets a good chance to prove themselves. That has worked all the time.
comment by BerbaKing11 (U6256)
posted 18 minutes ago
comment by Elvis (U7425)
posted 19 minutes ago
I saw yesterday stories about Bruno having secret meetings with a SA club. Would people be happy if we got £100m + for Bruno and spent it on Baleba? Would a partnership of Baleba and Mainoo be better than Bruno and Cas?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Personally I think it would be a no brainer. In this current system, you need two proper athletes and all-rounders in CM. Fulham's goal was Bruno not tracking his runner into the box, which would be bread & butter stuff for a CM with natural defensive nous.
If we reverted to a system that suits Bruno, we'd then be shunting Cunha into wider position that is not his best. Bruno is a fantastic player who will always post good numbers but sometimes you have to let a player like that go to evolve and develop the collective. For that sort of money at his age and with our financial issues and squad needs, it ticks a lot of boxes.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
My point for years now.
Just seen that Atletico are perhaps open for Conor Gallagher to leave on loan. Don't think that would be a bad option at all.
I'm also coming round to the thinking that perhaps we should cash in on Bruno now. It may hurt us this season but if £100m is available then perhaps we should do it and try to get legs in midfield this season? I still see us going back in for Baleba before the end of the window if we move players on.
I also like Amorim and a lot of what he's about but I would like him to change things up sometimes. Going to a back four with the addition of an extra midfielder shouldn't be something to baulk at. Or, we get much braver and push up the defence more to get closer to the midfield. It has risks but so be it.
We also need to start selecting a CF now too. That will give the opposition something more to think about. I'd go strong v Grimsby in the hope we can get a confidence boosting win with a few goals. Just not play the players that have had injury issues over the years such as Shaw, Mount etc.
Personally I think it would be a no brainer. In this current system, you need two proper athletes and all-rounders in CM. Fulham's goal was Bruno not tracking his runner into the box, which would be bread & butter stuff for a CM with natural defensive nous.
If we reverted to a system that suits Bruno, we'd then be shunting Cunha into wider position that is not his best. Bruno is a fantastic player who will always post good numbers but sometimes you have to let a player like that go to evolve and develop the collective. For that sort of money at his age and with our financial issues and squad needs, it ticks a lot of boxes.
.......................
This is where I have been all of the transfer window.
Didn’t watch the game and I’m not gonna get too worked up after just 2 games but I have always felt Bruno in a 2 doesn’t work, especially with someone who’s legs are pretty much gone in Casemiro. I’ve said all summer that a new CM is essential and was delighted with the Baleba rumours.
I’ve just read that Mainoo would be willing to move this week if a good offer comes in. I get he doesn’t perfectly fit in Amorims system but he is also a hugely gifted player and losing him would be tough.
In a dream scenario we sold/sell Bruno for big bucks and reinvested in more suitable midfielders but I don’t see that happening.
Mainoo isn’t good enough to sack a manager but we probably have to accept that as long as Amorim is here we’re not going to see Mainoo play much or even sold. Will be interesting to see what business we do this week.
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Page 1 of 3
posted on 25/8/25
Do you not think that is something we have been trying to do?
posted on 25/8/25
Whatever happened to Mainoo?
Seems like only last year he was the best young CM in the world? Some even said generational talent?
posted on 25/8/25
Is there a method to his madness of playing bruno and Casemiro in a midfield 2. He's hardly trying to force the clubs hand into buying a midfielder as we head into the final week of the window
posted on 25/8/25
I think the club have put the groundwork in in trying to get ahead of the expected pack assembling to vie for Baleba.
I think we’ll be saving our pennies for that one (or an alternative if we can’t get him) next summer.
posted on 25/8/25
OP, do you really think a midfielder would fix the issues you refer to?
posted on 25/8/25
I don't think Bruno and Casemiro have been terrible (I thought it would be a complete disaster)... But they are never gonna win you leagues. Casemiro doesn't have the legs to go 90 mins every game and Bruno is just not a CM specialist. Then his subs actually weaken an already delicate balance.
So yea, we need a CM, probably two really, for this formation.
We are in a place where our best player is considered undroppable and is very hard to fit into a formation the manager has set in stone. Something has to give.
posted on 25/8/25
The worry thing was listening to the Fulham players saying how they planned all week to exploit the space behind our two man midfield, changing the personnel doesn’t change this weakness in Amorims system other than the fact we could be more direct and aggressive from midfield with the ball going forward than we are.
Amorim is so rigid in his thinking no matter how badly we’re struggling like most of the second half yesterday he won’t tactically change it was just a last year performance all over again with some different players, once the opposition have worked us out about 20 mins in we’re out of the game, over run in midfield and passing to nobody.
posted on 25/8/25
comment by Franko Cantona (U22187)
posted 18 minutes ago
The worry thing was listening to the Fulham players saying how they planned all week to exploit the space behind our two man midfield, changing the personnel doesn’t change this weakness in Amorims system other than the fact we could be more direct and aggressive from midfield with the ball going forward than we are.
Amorim is so rigid in his thinking no matter how badly we’re struggling like most of the second half yesterday he won’t tactically change it was just a last year performance all over again with some different players, once the opposition have worked us out about 20 mins in we’re out of the game, over run in midfield and passing to nobody.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Tactically he did change it yesterday, though, several times.
You can keep the same formation and make tactical adjustments. He did that with three different sets of subs yesterday, at least.
posted on 25/8/25
We need at least two midfielders as we do every summer, not just one because the players we're using aren't good enough and/or the right fit and Amorim obviously doesn't fancy Mainoo. I don't think the two can coexist at United.
Even if we do upgrade in midfield before the window closes, will it be enough because we're still suffering from similar issues which were present under Ten Hag in which the two central midfielders are tasked with far too much space to cover.
It's quite easy for teams once they settle down and weather that initial period of momentum because they know if they outnumber us centrally and keep possession, they'll eventually gain some control and start creating chances.
If he doesn't bring in at least one midfielder before the window closes, he may well regret doing so because he may not get another chance.
posted on 25/8/25
Again as long as Bruno MUST play, there's very little to do in that midfield but hope he somehow creates more goals than the goals we will inevitably concede. In making Bruno some god for us, we are really only just trying to build a team around him. If that was the case we should have just gone and brought back Ole. He's not even getting subbed even in his worst.
Not moving on from Bruno is really the real problem with Amorim. The falacy that he (and some experienced failures, in Shaw and Mount) are somehow foundational will lead to his failure. Expecting a 3-4-3 manager to change his style completely is ludicrous.
Btw in all these, the ignored issue is having a team so light, we cannot win any physical battles. Who is Mount or Bruno going to bully in an attacking struggle? Why are we having corners/ set pieces were Bayandir is literally one on one with the biggest effing defenders after they've bumped off Shaw, Amad, Bruno or Mount? We cannot compensate for their weakness with attacking which is really not good enough especially when they cannot win battles in one of the most physically challenging leagues in the world.
posted on 25/8/25
I find it hilarious that people think two good midfielders would change our fortunes.
You could've had prime Casemiro and prime scholes in there and they'd still be overran because the game would just bypass them.
Any team with 3 players in and around the centre is always going to overpower 2 players.
posted on 25/8/25
We are in a place where our best player is considered undroppable and is very hard to fit into a formation the manager has set in stone. Something has to give.
....................
This is a huge problem that is only going to magnify as the season goes on.
posted on 25/8/25
comment by Ali - 🇪🇦 🏴 (U1192)
posted 8 minutes ago
I find it hilarious that people think two good midfielders would change our fortunes.
You could've had prime Casemiro and prime scholes in there and they'd still be overran because the game would just bypass them.
Any team with 3 players in and around the centre is always going to overpower 2 players.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
It's possible... Look at Chelsea in the Kante days.. (or any team he played for, actually)... But those players are few and far between.
posted on 25/8/25
It also doesn't help that he is playing with Mount, Mbeumo and Cunha in front of Bruno.
Mount is occupying the areas Bruno would if he was playing his normal position and was also occupying the areas Bruno should be playing as a CM. This does not help either Dorgu or Amad as there was no one in the box.
Too many timed Dorgu had to pass it back to Mount as he had no one else to pass the ball to.
posted on 25/8/25
I saw yesterday stories about Bruno having secret meetings with a SA club. Would people be happy if we got £100m + for Bruno and spent it on Baleba? Would a partnership of Baleba and Mainoo be better than Bruno and Cas?
posted on 25/8/25
No you need a new manager, the new AVB has taken 27 points from 28 games. That isn’t good enough for a club like Utd, now you can come up with all the excuses you like but the buck stops with the manager. 7 wins from 28 league games including 2 wins against relegated teams, he’s so far out of his depth it’s painful to watch.
posted on 25/8/25
comment by WeekendOffender (U22920)
posted 3 hours, 28 minutes ago
Whatever happened to Mainoo?
Seems like only last year he was the best young CM in the world? Some even said generational talent?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Our manager.
Should’ve hooked Bruno yesterday.
He will be gone before Turkey season if he carries on with Bruno.
posted on 25/8/25
comment by Elvis (U7425)
posted 19 minutes ago
I saw yesterday stories about Bruno having secret meetings with a SA club. Would people be happy if we got £100m + for Bruno and spent it on Baleba? Would a partnership of Baleba and Mainoo be better than Bruno and Cas?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Personally I think it would be a no brainer. In this current system, you need two proper athletes and all-rounders in CM. Fulham's goal was Bruno not tracking his runner into the box, which would be bread & butter stuff for a CM with natural defensive nous.
If we reverted to a system that suits Bruno, we'd then be shunting Cunha into wider position that is not his best. Bruno is a fantastic player who will always post good numbers but sometimes you have to let a player like that go to evolve and develop the collective. For that sort of money at his age and with our financial issues and squad needs, it ticks a lot of boxes.
posted on 25/8/25
Bruno won't play every game in CM, just like Cunha and Mbuemo won't start every game at 10.
2 games in guys, and still a week of the window to go.
posted on 25/8/25
It's not just Bruno's position but his creativity in that position. Granted, his creativity has been stifled by playing him deeper, but for me it's always been about who else provides that creativity in the squad if it's not Bruno?
If the answer is Cunha and Mbeumo, maybe even Mount or all combined, then fair enough. But is that the case?
posted on 25/8/25
comment by Playmaker (U22780)
posted 6 minutes ago
It's not just Bruno's position but his creativity in that position. Granted, his creativity has been stifled by playing him deeper, but for me it's always been about who else provides that creativity in the squad if it's not Bruno?
If the answer is Cunha and Mbeumo, maybe even Mount or all combined, then fair enough. But is that the case?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Best way to find that out is to continue relying on Bruno for everything while no one else gets a good chance to prove themselves. That has worked all the time.
posted on 25/8/25
comment by BerbaKing11 (U6256)
posted 18 minutes ago
comment by Elvis (U7425)
posted 19 minutes ago
I saw yesterday stories about Bruno having secret meetings with a SA club. Would people be happy if we got £100m + for Bruno and spent it on Baleba? Would a partnership of Baleba and Mainoo be better than Bruno and Cas?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Personally I think it would be a no brainer. In this current system, you need two proper athletes and all-rounders in CM. Fulham's goal was Bruno not tracking his runner into the box, which would be bread & butter stuff for a CM with natural defensive nous.
If we reverted to a system that suits Bruno, we'd then be shunting Cunha into wider position that is not his best. Bruno is a fantastic player who will always post good numbers but sometimes you have to let a player like that go to evolve and develop the collective. For that sort of money at his age and with our financial issues and squad needs, it ticks a lot of boxes.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
My point for years now.
posted on 25/8/25
Just seen that Atletico are perhaps open for Conor Gallagher to leave on loan. Don't think that would be a bad option at all.
I'm also coming round to the thinking that perhaps we should cash in on Bruno now. It may hurt us this season but if £100m is available then perhaps we should do it and try to get legs in midfield this season? I still see us going back in for Baleba before the end of the window if we move players on.
I also like Amorim and a lot of what he's about but I would like him to change things up sometimes. Going to a back four with the addition of an extra midfielder shouldn't be something to baulk at. Or, we get much braver and push up the defence more to get closer to the midfield. It has risks but so be it.
We also need to start selecting a CF now too. That will give the opposition something more to think about. I'd go strong v Grimsby in the hope we can get a confidence boosting win with a few goals. Just not play the players that have had injury issues over the years such as Shaw, Mount etc.
posted on 25/8/25
Personally I think it would be a no brainer. In this current system, you need two proper athletes and all-rounders in CM. Fulham's goal was Bruno not tracking his runner into the box, which would be bread & butter stuff for a CM with natural defensive nous.
If we reverted to a system that suits Bruno, we'd then be shunting Cunha into wider position that is not his best. Bruno is a fantastic player who will always post good numbers but sometimes you have to let a player like that go to evolve and develop the collective. For that sort of money at his age and with our financial issues and squad needs, it ticks a lot of boxes.
.......................
This is where I have been all of the transfer window.
posted on 25/8/25
Didn’t watch the game and I’m not gonna get too worked up after just 2 games but I have always felt Bruno in a 2 doesn’t work, especially with someone who’s legs are pretty much gone in Casemiro. I’ve said all summer that a new CM is essential and was delighted with the Baleba rumours.
I’ve just read that Mainoo would be willing to move this week if a good offer comes in. I get he doesn’t perfectly fit in Amorims system but he is also a hugely gifted player and losing him would be tough.
In a dream scenario we sold/sell Bruno for big bucks and reinvested in more suitable midfielders but I don’t see that happening.
Mainoo isn’t good enough to sack a manager but we probably have to accept that as long as Amorim is here we’re not going to see Mainoo play much or even sold. Will be interesting to see what business we do this week.
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