[Tallis]

He is just knackered after playing too much last season as compared to what his body was capable off. Then instead of some rest in the summer, he became a starting player at the Euro. Since then, he has had an on and off season with injuries and hasn't had the chance to get into his best rhythm.

 

[Smores]

At this point - with so little left to play for outside of EL - would his long-term fitness be best served by taking the rest of the season off and focussing on development instead?

As silky as he has always looked - and his on the ball ability is unquestioned - a central player needs a better 'engine' than he has shown to possess. Surely there's something we can do on that given his age?

Rio was talking on his podcast the other month about conditioning coaches who could improve players stamina significantly but clubs won't do it due to immediate impacts on performance. So yeah we could but unlikely.

Still if we go far in the EL and get an injury or two we'll need him. He's not played enough football lately so that'll be a bigger benefit.

People need to remember he's not much older than some of the youth players like Kone and he's younger than Mather. He's still a development player.

 

[criticalanalysis]

Rio was talking on his podcast the other month about conditioning coaches who could improve players stamina significantly but clubs won't do it due to immediate impacts on performance. So yeah we could but unlikely.

Still if we go far in the EL and get an injury or two we'll need him. He's not played enough football lately so that'll be a bigger benefit.

People need to remember he's not much older than some of the youth players like Kone and he's younger than Mather. He's still a development player.

In what way? I can understand tiring out a player with lots of cardio work in a short amount of time but don't understand how a club of our size can have consistently poor sprint/distance coverage issues over a long term.

 

[IrishRedDevil]

Back in training

 

[nmm85]

New haircut too. Great to have him back. I wonder what team with him and Mount and Bruno can do. You would think it would be a bit more progressive.

 

[Posh Red]

New haircut too. Great to have him back. I wonder what team with him and Mount and Bruno can do. You would think it would be a bit more progressive.

I think so, but I think it’s too one-paced. We need at least one quick/powerful attacking midfielder to complement them. Garnacho will have to fill that role, at least for now.

 

[FujiVice]

Dorgu had the monopoly on the Ruud Gullit haircut. If you get injured, you lose your hair. Its how it is.

 

[aeh1991]

Let's hope he returns stronger and prove his doubters wrong.

 

[Raven]

Good to have him back, a great option for the rest of the season.

 

[Swedish_Plumber]

Can’t wait for cup final Kobbie

 

[aeh1991]

He looks a bit bulked up doesn't he? I hope this is a positive.

 

[Trex]

He looks a bit bulked up doesn't he? I hope this is a positive.

It's his cardio really that needs to prove.

 

[LeonDion]

Second season syndrome…this kid is absolute class

 

[aeh1991]

Was a decent cameo in my opinion. Was directly involved in Zirkzee's goal and made some nice passes.

 

[Bobski]

Might be the hair cut and the shit stream but he looked a bit leaner tonight, for some reason his height always surprises me.

 

[OverratedOpinion]

Yeah he was decent, good quick thinking to quickly get the ball back to Bruno in space and some decent moments on the ball.

 

[Rozay]

His role in the Zirkzee goal shouldn’t go unnoticed.

 

[cpresc]

Happy to see he's shaved his head - less image, more output please

 

[Aint gota Kalou]

Will be nice watching him and Bruno change positions in game. Sign that contract

 

[Redstain]

His role in the Zirkzee goal shouldn’t go unnoticed.

Did more in a passage of play than Garnacho in 70 odd minutes.

 

[Lash]

That was an encouraging cameo, more of that please

 

[SER19]

Excellent player glad he's back

 

[Rustyspider13]

Please stay fit, please take Garnacho's place.

 

[BorisManUtd]

Great cameo given his role in Zirkzee's goal but all is bit overshadowed with that late equalizer, unfortunately.

 

[Blood Mage]

He's a good player. Still would happily see him leave if he continues to take the piss with his contract demands, but it's good to have him back for now.

 

[The Hilton]

Good cameo, showed good awareness to take a yellow that should have won us the game, unfortunately the team decided to stop playing from that point onwards.

 

[Irwin99]

Looked good when he came on. Would like to see him get some more minutes in the 10 role.

 

[Dominos]

Looked promising.

If we're keeping one of Garnacho or Mainoo this summer, I'd keep Mainoo, just because he seems to have a better footballing brain.

 

[VivaJesperBlomqvist]

So many nice moments when under pressure today. Great cameo.

 

[OleGunnar20]

Yeah he looked sharp, great to see. Seems like Amorim is viewing him as more of a #10, which alongside Bruno, Amad and Mount would leave us well stocked there.

 

[RORY65]

Thought he looked really bright and surprisingly sharp given he's been out for a couple of months. I'm still not sure what his best role is in this system, he doesn't feel like a perfect fit for the 2 man midfield or as a 10, but he's so young, has got so much talent and has already performed so well for United that he'll find his role and it's great to have him back.

 

[bosnian_red]

Glad to have him back. Hope he can stay fit. Needs to play as the left 10 though, he's a bit awkward on the right with his dribbling style. Opens his body up better on the left.

 

[FrankWhite]

Glad to have him back. Hope he can stay fit. Needs to play as the left 10 though, he's a bit awkward on the right with his dribbling style. Opens his body up better on the left.

I was initially worried that he had come back chubby but looking at the way he's moving, I think he's put on some muscle.

 

[Eagle_eye]

Him, Mount, and Zirzkee should be our front 3 with Bruno playing in midfield

 

[FrankWhite]

Him, Mount, and Zirzkee should be our front 3 with Bruno playing in midfield

Lack of speed is the issue

 

[bosnian_red]

Him, Mount, and Zirzkee should be our front 3 with Bruno playing in midfield

Doesn't work, you need Garna in there because he can run in behind. Whatever about people liking certain players or form, all teams just need certain qualities. No team will work without a threat in behind apart from random spot moments. Amorim prefers his #9 to be that guy, that's why he's using Hojlund so much... He's just horrible at it. Garnacho knows where to move, his end product just sucks. But that movement is probably the main reason why Ten Hag and now Amorim use him so much.

 

[Bubz27]

Lack of speed is the issue

I think this and then I think the lack of brains Garnacho and Hojlund show constantly isn't exactly a better alternative. Bring on the pace against tired legs, start with the brains. See what happens.

 

[harms]

Might be the hair cut and the shit stream but he looked a bit leaner tonight, for some reason his height always surprises me.

It was probably the reasons you’ve mentioned as I’m pretty sure that he had gained some mass. Not fat, mind you, but he’s been clearly spending a lot of extra time in the gym.

 

[Hammondo]

His role in the Zirkzee goal shouldn’t go unnoticed.

The header?

 

[Foolsgold21]

Only a brief appearance but my god, it reminds you how good he can be when he's given the ball.

We could really do with him in the return leg from the start.