Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has confirmed that Kobbie Mainoo is competing with captain Bruno Fernandes for a starting position in his team.
Mainoo has not featured in any matches this season, and Amorim opted not to introduce him from the bench in United’s 1-1 draw against Fulham.
Instead, Amorim chose to make defensive substitutions, bringing on four defenders in the second half.
The only outright attacking change was new striker Benjamin Sesko.
Amorim favours an attacking midfielder and a defensive midfielder in his 3-4-2-1 system and Fernandes remains an automatic pick.
“He’s fighting for the position now with Bruno,” Amorim said of Mainoo.
“And I changed two midfielders. I let Mason Mount (play) there because we wanted to score a goal and when I changed I felt the team needed to return to one holding midfielder near Bruno.
“So he (Mainoo) just needs to fight for the position with Bruno, as it should be at Manchester United.
“(Sometimes) he’s going to play with Bruno, but at the moment he’s fighting in training with Bruno for the position.”