ARE RU SURE?
Man Utd fans can’t believe who Ruben Amorim has playing up front after boss unleashed bold new tactic for Crystal Palace
Unlikely star did grab his first European goal in midweek
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RUBEN AMORIM stunned everyone with his choice of striker against Crystal Palace.
The Manchester United manager named both Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund on the bench at Old Trafford.
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And instead he opted to start Kobbie Mainoo as the No9 leading the line.
Mainoo, 19, usually plays in the heart of midfield.
But Amorim shook things up with his surprise new position to face the Eagles.
Mainoo was spotted warming up with the forwards before kick-off in the Premier League clash.
And lo and behold, when the match got underway, he was the man furthest forward for the Red Devils - albeit in a slightly false No9 position.
Mainoo was the centre forward in the Amorim 3-4-3 system with Amad Diallo and Alejandro Garnacho pushing up on either side in the supporting roles.
Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte held the fort as the midfield pair with Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui operating as wing-backs.
Amorim went with a back three of Leny Yoro, Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez in front of Andre Onana.
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But all of the talk on social media was about Mainoo, who faced a back three of Chris Richards, Maxence Lacroix and Marc Guehi.
The teenager grabbed his first European goal in the Europa League win at FCSB on Thursday night.
Man Utd ratings: Kobbie Mainoo shines in new role vs FCSB while poor Tyrell Malacia gets hooked at half time
That was also his first goal of the season and took his pro tally to six in 58 first-team appearances for United.
His first Premier League goal came in February 2024 with his dramatic winner in a 4-3 win at Wolves but his most memorable strike was against Manchester City in the FA Cup final.
But despite his relative lack of goals compared to Hojlund and Zirkzee - who have 57 and 47 respectively for club and country - the rogue tactic left fans divided.
One said: "Mainoo has done more in five minutes as a 9 than we got out of Hojlund and Zirkzee."
Another wrote: "Mainoo at striker is not something I was expecting today."
A third added: "Mainoo at striker, what is this guy Amorim smoking?"
A fourth commented: "Amorim got Mainoo as striker, I think he’s lost it."
A fifth replied: "Garnacho-Mainoo-Dialo is looking nice and smooth."
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A sixth typed: "Mainoo is our starting striker today, and we are supposed to be happy with the state of our club."
Marcus Rashford, who has 138 Manchester United goals, was not in the matchday squad once again as he closes in on a loan to Aston Villa.
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