Gary Neville cautioned Ruben Amorim not to use Kobbie Mainoo in a false-nine position, emphasizing that Manchester United requires a reliable striker. Neville made these comments on Sky Sports after Chelsea’s 2-1 victory over West Ham, while discussing the Red Devils’ 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace on Sunday. In the match at Old Trafford, Amorim opted to position Mainoo centrally, keeping strikers Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund on the sidelines. Neville speculated that this decision could either be an experimental tactic or a reflection of his dissatisfaction with the forwards. Although utilizing a false-nine formation has its advantages, Neville concluded that it was not the answer to Manchester United’s problems. He mentioned, “When I noticed Kobbie Mainoo starting up front yesterday, I assumed Fernandes would be playing in that role or something similar.” Garnacho could potentially take the forward position while Fernandes might move to the right. When I observed Kobbie Mainoo playing as a center forward or coming back, I thought, ‘That’s fine.’ “You will take charge of the game.” Some of what I’ve mentioned suggests that you can experience good football, but it can also deceive you. You might find this football enjoyable, as it features impressive passes beyond the penalty area and leading into the final third. Ultimately, it comes down to scoring goals. The focus is on having players in the penalty area, maneuvering around defenders, and ensuring that you’re effectively generating opportunities.
