Ruben Amorim on Mainoo playing as a number ten, Garnacho, and win over FCSB | OneFootball

Ruben Amorim suggested Kobbie Mainoo’s future could lie in the number 10 role after the midfielder impressed in Man Utd’s Europa League win over FCSB.

Mainoo played further forward than his usual central midfield position and set up Diogo Dalot’s opening goal with a superb ball across the box, before adding a second from Alejandro Garnacho’s pass.

And United boss Amorim said he was delighted with the impact of the 19-year-old.

“Kobbie was struggling a lot defending as a midfielder but now more as a 10, you can feel that he was so free playing the ball near the box” Amorim said.

“Near the box he is really good, with the small connections.

“We need time to work with the players to understand what is the best position for them.”

After a goalless first half, Amorim opted to introduce both Alejandro Garnacho and Amad at the break, a change which paid off, with United looking more dangerous in the second.

“Of course, Garnacho has a different pace and is more like a winger,” Amorim told TNT Sports. “Amad is really good one-v-one and he can push players to open more space. It was good work from everybody.

“We want to improve a lot with the way we play. We want to play closer than today, but we need to play like this.”

The victory confirmed United’s place in the round of 16, meaning they miss having to play two extra play-off games, and Amorim praised his team for their professionalism.

“We controlled very well the game,” he said. We had more possession. Of course we have to understand the opponent is not with all due respect the same level as the Premier League so we had more time to think and connect the plays.

“The lads did a good job. Clean sheet again, create some chances but we have to score more goals because we had the opportunities. We made some rotation, we took two games from the schedule. It was a good day for us.”