Manchester United's summer transfer priority just shifted after 'struggling' comment

There are bound to be peaks and troughs in a footballer's career and Kobbie Mainoo faced some uncertainty at Manchester United following Ruben Amorim's appointment in November.

Mainoo was an unused substitute in Amorim's first game in charge against Ipswich Town and small doubts about his suitability to United's new formation gradually started to grow.

The assumption was that Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte would be Amorim's preferred midfield pairing. However, they have started together in just eight games and Amorim has described Ugarte as an "example", whilst suggesting Mainoo is "not the finished product" and "can do so much better".

Mainoo is four years younger than Ugarte, who worked with Amorim at Sporting Lisbon, and can still take his game to another level, but Amorim's quotes about him have been interesting.

When Amorim discussed Mainoo and Ugarte earlier this month, he essentially joked the "guys in the media" believe the United academy graduate is already a world star and tried to explain why the 19-year-old still had some work to do to become a regular starter in his system.

There were signs of a blossoming understanding between Mainoo and Ugarte and they were excellent at Anfield, but there have also been some teething problems when they have started together.

Then Amorim ostensibly had a light-bulb moment as Mainoo started as a No.10 against FCSB in the Europa League on Thursday night. The Stockport-born youngster slotted in seamlessly, providing an assist for Diogo Dalot and scoring himself, and Amorim's quotes on Mainoo after the victory in Bucharest indicate that might become his permanent position.

During the post-match press conference, Amorim told reporters: "The Kobbie position today, we need time to