Kobbie Mainoo used to mock two Man Utd players as Ruben Amorim makes Crystal Palace decision

The England international duly delivered with a goal and assist and Amorim stuck with the teenager up top for their Premier League clash with Palace.

The decision saw Hojlund and Zirkzee, who have both struggled for goals this season, left on the bench once again.

Mainoo was deployed in a false nine position with Amad Diallo and Alejandro Garnacho either side.

And despite the game being goalless at half-time, Mainoo impressed early on and came close to finding the opening goal when his effort bounced off the post.

United were causing Palace all sorts of problems with Mainoo at the centre of their attacking threat.

And fans were impressed by what they saw and feel that both Hojlund and Zirkzee may no longer be needed.

One supporter wrote on X: "Mainoo has done more than Hojlund & Zirkzee in 5 minutes."

Another posted: "Kobbie mainoo is actually a better number 9 than Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee."

A third said: "Mainoo already more dangerous than Hojlund and Zirkzee."

One other joked: "Hojlund and Zirkzee have been so pants that Ruben’s benched them both and gone without a striker."

Another mockingly posted: "Hojlund and Zirkzee should be embarrassed that Amorim has decided to go with no 9 today."

The United boss explained his decision to stick with Mainoo in a more attacking role, suggesting he's more creative than United's other options.

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He said: "I like him with the ball. Sometimes you have more space in the build-up phase.

"I think he's a good player because he can hold the ball.

"He is very good one against one and he is creative. We need creativity in the last third."