Roy Keane names the one 'mad' player who Ruben Amorim can rely on for Man United

If Manchester United are to compete for Champions League places there is a template of player that Ruben Amorim needs to have at his disposal.

There is quality in the squad, but the gap between the best players in the squad and those who need to be upgraded is still too big. Bruno Fernandes vented his frustration this week and he can no longer be expected to do it all on his own. Bryan Mbeumo has made a difference, although the Red Devils could do with him in two other positions too.

Roy Keane lauds Man United difference maker

One player who has impressed Roy Keane who, speaking on Sky Sports’ coverage of United’s defeat against Aston Villa, picked out another summer signing as someone who can make a difference over the coming seasons: “To me he looks like a Manchester United player,” the former skipper said of Matheus Cunha. “I think he’s embraced playing for Man United.” Which is a rarity for some of the players who have moved to Old Trafford in recent campaigns.

Keane has already spoken about the Brazilian playmaker this season when he compared him to a former great: "I like Cunha... a bit selfish, a bit mad. He reminds me of Ronaldo, when I used to lose my head at him for not passing the ball... and the next minute, he’d score a hat trick," Keane said, before adding: "That’s what United need again. Less smiles, more killers. Let Šeško learn to be a little selfish too."

Keane is right, Cunha has the ability to lessen the load off Fernandes and be a matchwinner for United who can also excite the fans although the manager will want reinforcements in January.

How could Amorim get more out of Cunha?

There are eerie similarities with how Eric Cantona used to go about his business for United with the French maverick’s strength and aggression being replaced by Cunha’s dribbling ability. Being able to create something out of nothing is a rarity in the modern game and Amorim is lucky to have two players like Cunha and Fernandes although he could be getting more out of them with a small tactical tweak.

Fernandes is an attacking midfielder by trade and, despite his numbers, is being wasted having to cover every blade of grass on the pitch. Amorim’s treatment of Mainoo is all too familiar given what happened with players like Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho but a line has to be drawn under the saga and the England international restored to the starting XI to free up Fernandes. With Sesko offering little, Amorim could stick to his favoured formation but play Cunha as a false nine and allow the front three to rotate and move freely between the lines.

Picking the same players and expecting different results consistently, is never a tactic that works.