Downgraded Pogba? Manchester United’s new star regains starting spot but still needs to improve, teammates remind him of Amolin’s lesson

Ruben Amolin will be recorded in Manchester United’s history as a total coaching failure, but one thing he did accomplish was removing some players who didn’t fit the team. Rashford, Sancho, Antony, Garnacho, and Hojlund were all sold or loaned under his leadership. The 20-year-old Red Devils academy midfielder, Cody Menoe, who was nearly offloaded by Amolin, fortunately survived the coaching change and found his place again in Carrick’s 4-2-3-1 system.

However, teammate Diogo Dalot told Menoe that enduring hardships during the Amolin era will ultimately benefit him. “You once stood at the peak but suddenly couldn’t get playing time anymore,” Dalot said. “For Cody, going through such setbacks will be very beneficial. He had to keep training constantly, which can turn out to be a blessing in disguise.”

Dalot himself experienced a similar situation; Solskjaer didn’t favor him and even loaned him to AC Milan. But that experience helped him improve, and eventually, after Ralf Rangnick took over, Dalot became a regular starter for Manchester United to this day.

Dalot also pointed out that with increased training time, Menoe’s physique has visibly strengthened. Dalot said, “When Solskjaer replaced Mourinho, I faced the same situation. My playing time decreased. But that period without matches was actually the most valuable time in my career because I had to build a solid foundation. I couldn’t play and was troubled by injuries, with two or three full-backs ahead of me, so I devoted all my energy to training.”

Dalot revealed that Carrick, who was then an assistant coach, encouraged him during that time. The Portuguese right-back recalled, “Carrick came to tell me: ‘Your time will come.’ Maybe 20-year-old Cody can’t fully understand it yet, but that’s the truth.”

Amolin’s decision to bench Menoe was not personal but due to the young Englishman’s traits being unsuitable for his 3-4-3 tactics. Even if the Portuguese coach returned, Menoe would still struggle to secure a place because in a two-midfielder setup with Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes, only Casemiro and Bruno would be chosen.

Menoe’s qualities are quite distinctive: his calm technique on the ball, especially dribbling in tight spaces and handling pressure, are rare among recent Manchester United midfielders. However, no player is perfect; everyone has strengths and weaknesses.

Some say that a coach’s job is to design tactics that maximize players’ strengths and get the best out of them. Others believe players must adapt to different tactical demands and not only perform within systems that suit them.

Both views are valid. Menoe can be seen as a simplified version of Pogba — a classic modern midfielder who is good at many things but lacks the ability to be the absolute core of the team. Such players serve as “refiners,” enhancing an already well-structured lineup.

If Menoe were to directly replace either Casemiro or Bruno Fernandes now, he could manage but wouldn’t reach the same level. Carrick’s 4-2-3-1, like Ten Hag’s system before, allows for an additional attacking player. Bruno organizes attacks at number 10, Casemiro balances defense at 6, while Menoe can freely use his calm passing and control skills.

What benefits Menoe more is Carrick’s Manchester United philosophy when in possession, focusing on central passing combinations, while the forwards’ compact positioning and flexible runs, along with Bruno’s forward movement, also help him.

Menoe doesn’t need to be responsible for penetrating passes breaking through the opponent’s defensive lines; that role belongs to Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire, or Dalot.

Menoe isn’t skilled at splitting defenses with precise passes; his strength lies in staying close to the front four attackers and advancing the attack through calm ball control. He possesses excellent dribbling and technical skills, excelling in short passing combinations.

“Basically, as a midfielder, you need to work hard to link the team, whether in possession or not. Cody definitely takes the ball; we all know he carries the ball around the pitch and connects the whole team,” Carrick said after Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with West Ham. “He’s not always the one making the final pass, but he connects many of our attacks.”

In Manchester United’s 3-2 last-minute win over Fulham, Menoe received a pass from Lima near the midfield line, quickly passed into space, then combined with Bruno Fernandes to push forward into the attacking third.

Additionally, Menoe’s composure under pressure allows him to receive and pass while being closely marked, which complements Carrick’s tactical approach. Carrick wants to lure opponents higher up and then use combinations to exploit gaps between the midfield and defense or behind the defensive line, finding the front four players.

The philosophy Carrick and his coaching staff implement in possession perfectly suits Menoe’s strengths and covers his weaknesses. Manchester United’s new star hasn’t progressed or regressed significantly; he’s much the same as before, only showing improvement in defensive effort. His physicality and defensive coverage remain weaknesses.

In the five matches under Carrick’s management, Menoe’s defensive awareness and positioning appear better than in previous seasons. This may be due to training and playing alongside experienced players like Casemiro or perhaps increased motivation after long spells on the bench.

Manchester United fans familiar with Pogba’s impact and shortcomings know that only by maintaining defensive awareness and improving defensive positioning can Menoe truly advance. The new defensive midfielder Manchester United signs this summer will also affect Menoe’s development, potentially positively or negatively!

For Menoe to become a genuine world-class star, besides the manager giving him enough time to develop, he must also have the courage to change himself and step out of his comfort zone, just like a young Cristiano Ronaldo.

If he relies solely on his natural talent, his ceiling will be no higher than Rashford or Martial. After all, in terms of raw talent, Menoe clearly falls short of Pogba.

Rio Ferdinand revealed this week that Carrick, as a player, once believed Martial could win the Ballon d’Or. Unfortunately, the French winger lost his drive and has now ended up playing in the Mexican league.