What Is Ruben Amorims BEST Manchester United Starting 11!?

[@kevinfitz8516]

Every time Gary Neville opens up his stupid mouth pressure is added onto the shoulders of the current Man Utd manager. Neville is a menace

[@WolePhoenix]

Gary Neville is an idiot. I've always maintained this

[@WolePhoenix]

Gary Neville is an idiot

[@Dmaj089]

Yeah. Neville sure does yap a lot for a failed manager

[@LAJAP]

Yup, a liability.

[@mpmlopes]

If there's one thing I learnt these last few years, as a Sporting CP fan, is that with Rúben Amorim there are no guaranteed places for any players, everyone plays and everyone performs, the team doesn't have people just to warm up the benches. Just from September, I can think of 3 times that even Gyokeres was on the bench while Conrad Harder was on the starting 11. The other thing I learnt, is that with Amorim, the team always plays well, once he has the team he wants, changing players doesn't make a difference in the quality of the playing.

[@Dmaj089]

Man. Thanks. I believe in Amorim completely

[@isaacAmoah-dv6sl]

Man I have also realised that this few weeks he's spent cos I see he wants everyone to play 🤙

[@alanvigor8279]

Its a squad game now days

[@jimprincemelody8350]

No player is special than the other under him and this one brings the fighting spirit and team work.

[@bodybymalik]

Bang on with this lineup. I also have a toss up between Mount and Rashy on the right but for the defensive reasons I would play Mount.

[@Ras_tin21]

AJ ,did you just say Ugarte is not the type of midfielder what Manchester wants ? so what’s your suggestion because for me Ugarte has been one of our best players this season

[@redtimez4520]

He is using his arse to think

[@JGlais]

I am worried about his ability on the ball. I think defensively he is great, but in the last game against forest our progression slowed down every time he got the ball

[@olavictor6286]

5:49 I love people who are very realistic in their analysis. This is the best analysis channel i have ever seen bro. I wish i could have someone like you as a friend ❤.

[@AJAnalysis]

Thank you so much! 💚

[@iangatere6459]

Your analysis is spot on.

[@RaymondNordahl]

I think we should experiment more with an underlapping LWB. It may be Maza or Dalot, but it does allow for Garnacho or Rashford to take on the left 10 and be the winger in possession, where both bring extreme qualities to the team.

[@khao1412]

I would love to see #17 play LWB just one match.

[@elinjens1]

He cant defend! More importent, he cant pass the ball 🤷‍♀️ Even Anthony is a better defender than Garnacho

[@khao1412]

@elinjens1 hes young. He can adapt it quickly. I want to see how does he performs when he's playing LWB.

[@Doctor_Kroom]

​@@khao1412Can adapt quickly? He is yet to adapt to being a starter and making decisions. Quickly??

[@khao1412]

@Doctor_Kroom #16 playing RWB very well, that means he adapted it quickly. You never know if he will play well at CAM. Same thing with #17, I want to see how he plays LWB because right now, he's not doing good at CAM. Young player well adapt quickly because they are all way hungry.

[@spannyaad4862]

I think if Antony change to LWB he would start every game

[@BatteryBee]

Definitely agree with Mount and Bruno in the 10's. It's both of their best positions, and we'd benefit from Mount's pressing intensity in the forward line.

[@Jykobe491]

Can we sht up about pressing for a bit? Weve been hearing this about how for years as of him pressing will win us matches, we need intelligent players who can help us break low blocks and find spaces in between the lines

[@BatteryBee]

@Jykobe491 It's ideal that Mount can do both. Amorim will want him to press off the ball, and create while on it.

[@Mopark25]

​@@Jykobe491Pressing won't help win matches but it will help control matches. No coincidence that every time Mount is subbed off we lose control of the pitch.

[@Pat14922]

I like the fact that no one's place is guaranteed. For a while it looked like certain players were undroppable, irrespective of form. I liked the " we need to run like mad dogs" comment the other day

[@GIGI_6446]

Awesome 👏🏻

[@super_venom2807]

you are are right with this starting eleven, i feel like moving amad in that cam postion and using dalot on the rwb role sometimes would be best

[@sirhawk705]

Imo if Mazraoui can play Wing back then i would put him in RWB then pit Amad as one of the 10s the other one being Bruno. You've said that Bruno is better as the left 10 and he also combines pretty well with Amad. The other wing back could still be Dalot or maybe even Garnacho considering Mazraoui would be the more defensive wingback of the two

[@ryanphelan6861]

he likes rwb inverted as wings are always easier way to move ball especially without sorted mf. amad is featuring in matches because of it and shining. the right 10 with bruno be even better for amad but nobody can replace his ball carrying on wing in united. quenda is perfect hes long strider with pace like leao. hes very young but huge talent who already featured and fit like glove in amorim system . then amad be closer to goal with attacking options as striker up top and never lay off bruno because of strikes like forest from amad . they contrast beautifully bruno and amad both inverted creators who play clever.

[@lelouch_v9923]

I’d love to see Mount and Bruno to play those roaming 10s hopefully it forces Rasmus to focus more on attacking runs instead of showing for the ball it’s something I’ve noticed with him coming towards the ball because he’s used to not getting it if he doesn’t

[@chriscrawford94]

I agree big time with the Mazraoui shout. I think we need to get him more involved in areas that can hurt the other team. I also think Dalot could actually be really strong from RWB. LWB in this system just forces him into awkward wrong foot positions much more than his previous position. He’s always been quite strong in the past making overlapping runs and getting good balls into the box. Playing Dalot at RWB could also give Amad an opportunity to get closer to goal, create more havok and goal scoring chances. I also think Bruno has been at his best in this team at CM by far and positionally he’s been very good. Hasn’t given the ball away as much from CM as from wing. He positions himself really well as an attacking threat too. The CBs are up for debate. I think De Ligt could also play RCB because he’s a great, aggressive 1v1 dueler in the channels. I would go: Gk: Onana Rcb: Yoro or De Ligt Ccb: De Ligt or Maguire LCB: Martinez RWB: Dalot Cm: Ugarte Cm: Bruno LWB: Maz RW: Amad St: Hojlund Lw: Mount

[@bamgomes]

About the players rotation, everyone is talking about it, the team needs consistency and stability and that's true. If you look to the last 3 games of Amorim at Sporting, he played against Estrela da Amadora on the weekend and then played against Man City in the middle of the week and then they played against Braga. 3 games in one week just like he's been having in Man United. From Estrela to Man City he changed two players in the starting eleven and from City's game to Braga he changed one player in the starting eleven. So when Man United team is fit and playing like he wants to you probably won't see much changes from one game to another.

[@mayurkudmethe3788]

Thats tge lineup i want to see❤

[@thisis_lungstar]

My starting XI looks likes this: ST: Hojlund CAM: Bruno & Amad MF: Shaw, Ugarte, Mainoo & Mazraoui DF: Martinez, De Ligt & Yoro GK: Onana Can't see us going wrong here.🔥

[@ChristoJohnSaaiman]

Shaw has to go, too injury prone.

[@thisis_lungstar]

@ChristoJohnSaaiman I agree, however, should there be another option I would go for Alvaro Carreras in the summer transfer window.

[@sumethanarulanantham9676]

Too defensive

[@thisis_lungstar]

@@sumethanarulanantham9676 How so?

[@sumethanarulanantham9676]

@@thisis_lungstar 5 defenders, need some electric wingbacks in one side

[@bernarddarkwah3998]

At the moment, Bruno in the double pivot is more productive than Kobbie. Kobbie has looked very slow, I don't know if it's because he's been out for some time. Also we need a player in that position to be spreading the passes and that isn't Kobbie at the moment. Kobbie needs to work on his long range passing. I also think Yoro should be starting from the bench for sometime to ease him into settling in and getting used to the league. He's just 19 n this league is a step up from the French league.

[@notharryhindsight7746]

True. Kobbie has been slow both on and off the ball. Needs to speed up a bit.

[@wilder17]

I agree for the most part but Bruno tends to give away possession too cheaply and in deeper areas that is very costly

[@Mopark25]

​@@wilder17Yeah Bruno is just not a CM, he can't play in tight spaces. Needs to be as close to the goal as possible.

[@wilder17]

@@Mopark25 absolutely agree

[@Therealbosaso]

I will get you to 45k assp bro like your work

[@AJAnalysis]

Thanks so much! 💚

[@Randomly25]

Even if we put Xavi, Iniesta, Ronaldinho, Zidane, CR7 or even R9 up front also no used if Deligt and Martinez happily holding the ball and pass around between them and Onana.

[@abuumasemele6246]

Martinez doesnt pass sideways or many backpasses stop the agenda and de ligt will learn

[@Randomly25]

@abuumasemele6246 clearly u didn't watch the game vs forest

[@bernarddarkwah3998]

Amorim knows his best 11, but that best 11 isn't a top team to face any top team

[@mercurialblonde]

I would go with Zirkzee as a 10

[@elinjens1]

Hear hear 👌

[@djsoka2804]

I think I am getting addicted to this page 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@andrew-x8p]

If he doesn't play mainoo and we keep losing. The fans will turn on amorin in a heartbeat

[@danielca3]

Back 3 maguire >>>>>

[@scottsinner7530]

There's no way we signed de Ligt in order to have Maguire anchor the back line. That's madness. Maybe we should rest Lisandro for Evans and rest Ugarte for Eriksen while we're at it? Tom Heaton could play in goal too, huh?

[@notharryhindsight7746]

Amorim is not the one who signed De Ligt though. It was Ashworth and Ten Hag. Amorim will decide if he prefers De Ligt or Maguire.

[@fernandofernandez7657]

I would do GK-Onana LB-Mazaraoui CB-De Ligt RB-Yoro LCDM-Martinez RCDM-Ugarte LWB-Dalot RWB-Rashford RAM-Amad LAM-Fernandes ST-Hojlund

[@jamiwilliams2840]

We need to find a way to get amad in to The 10 spot. He is being sacrificed in wing back and taking one for the team. Amad is perfect as a 10 and could be long term option there. Pace, dribbling ability, unselfish, eye for a pass. Yes please

[@kf02jofa]

I like that 11. Have definitely felt like the defence has been on the weak side. In another league perhaps, but not in EPL. Left wingback and inside forward are definitely the thinnest areas of the squad. Hope they address those before going for someone like Gyökeres.

[@ABESW0RLD]

Onana Martinez De Ligt Yoro Malacia Mainoo Ugarte Mazourai Fernandes Hojlund Amad This is our best team without any transfers. I'm tempted to bring through an academy player in Mantato for rwb and switch Mazourai to lwb. Also ethan ennis should be promoted until January. Can also get Kukonki to start training with Martinez to learn that role for next year.

[@Brus963]

I think another solution would be to put Dalot on the right, Maz on the left, and Amad on the right IF and Bruno left IF. Or Malacia left, Maz right, and Bruno and Amad up front. Would be interesting to see what Amad can do up there.

[@ademoyekehinde505]

Ion care bout the other opinions you have, but dalot should only come in when we don't have any other option or when we're playing a lesser opponent

[@Brus963]

@@ademoyekehinde505 Yeah Dalot definitely needs a break for a while. Maybe a good break will bring him back to form or something.

[@ademoyekehinde505]

@@Brus963 form?😂😂 I'm talking about getting rid of average bums that we have and bring in class. When was the last time we had a player like nous? I like dalot for some reason, but he hasn't shown consistency for a large portion of his time here

[@Brus963]

@ademoyekehinde505 i agree that he hasn't shown consistency and needs to be ultimately replaced. But in terms of short term, since we aren't exactly going to be able to spend that much for a while, we need to try different things like maybe giving some players rest and hope for better perforance. I am thinking especially of Bruno and Dalot. They play too much. Give them some time off and hopefully their mentality improves.

[@mascherano1of1]

Get rayan ait nouri for the left wingback, get arda guler for that right no.10, get a more solid LCB to replace Martinez( I'd go Branthwaite) and that team is now a team you can build on

[@mercurialblonde]

I don't think Amorim wants his CB pinging it long. He wants to play through the middle

[@donannan9295]

And he wants the middle Centre back to be press resistant because he plays facing the keeper. Maguire is anything but press resistant. If anything he’s a pressing target

[@mercurialblonde]

@donannan9295 yeah the reason de ligt stands on the ball is to try and bait the press. Not sure Maguire can do that

[@fdf0009]

We will be better with playing Casemiro as a center center back for his Ariel abilities

[@redjohn1958]

He’s got to see what he’s got and how to use the squad , before moving on .

[@EmmanuelOnyono]

I believe the coach needs change the position of Garna to the wing instead of inside forward and LB in side.

[@cornthdl]

Lenny Yoro likely Amorim’s preferred RB and Maz will be LB or LWB or RWB until we bring in a new LWB.

[@bijanadhikari7928]

Mainoo just isnt the ball carrier and ball progressor kind of player. He even doesn't even have a preferred position that he truly excels at to be consisred a regular starter. I like him and he is young and can improve but for us to get to the next level a more creative and deep-lying play maker is a must.

[@shounak4047]

With maguire i think bcz he lacks speed the ball jeeps going back to the keeper and less forward,.but he is a good defender

[@SihlonitshiweVazhure]

i want to try garnacho as a wing back

[@BonginkosiNgema]

Garnacho doesnt defend well

[@jl3592]

Will his ego allow it? Will he be selfless enough to defend?

[@SihlonitshiweVazhure]

@@jl3592 you right but its better he learns to defend cause i dont have faith in him learning to play as one of the 10 he doent have the technical ability

[@SainabouHydara-d9y]

The eleven he played against Everton is the best eleven for united right now he just needs to remove casemiro and put their Ugarte.

[@AjahElijah]

I actually prefer kobbie in the 10s

[@xg_zack]

Why not have Dalot RCB defending the wide areas pushing into midfield playing defence splitting passes. Mazroui LWB who's more patient on the ball finding the right pass and the right time to play direct.

[@joaolatado1153]

Unpopular opinion: Onana arrived from Inter when they finished 3rd in the league with only 7th best defence. Has probably the worst aerial control / rushing out I've seen from a keeper with 1.90m.

[@ianrichards1839]

I would try Masroui alongside Ugarte. Mainoo is too slow to play in that position, Fernandes is better further forward. We have a lot of players who can only play as a 10 in this system and limited funds to strengthen the squad. Amorim is going to be tested like never before.

[@rileyusa]

I agree that Dalot lacks the skill up front. He can't shoot to save his life. Maybe Luke Shaw when he is fit? I don't think Yoro has proved himself yet and so I'd stick with Mazaroui. I also think that Garnacho is one of our best players and so I'd stick with him.

[@UncleAlpha1]

Amad needs to be where Mount be. Next to Bruno.

[@unitpbp2902]

Maybe zirkzee shouldve play inside forward, with hojlund upfront

[@elinjens1]

Why is Rasmus a better option than Zirkzee? Zirkzee has scored more goals this season and also have a couple assist. That even when Rasmus has 100 more minutes on the pitch

[@manishk2291]

From what I see, Amorim likes to play lop sided wingbacks. Amad is attack minded, so on other side he will play somone like Dalot to bring defensive stability

[@thebiglebrowski3695]

Mainoo needs to learn how to pass forwards before he is good enough to be part of our best 11. Obviously he has broken through toynger he plays like a young Tom Cleverley did. He retains the ball but that is all he does. He always takes the easy out even if the option for a better pass is on.

[@mrruntrack8474]

He brings so much control. We just came from a manager where we lost the ball every 30 secs and our players can't handle the back and fourth running back. Ping pong football. We need control so I would rather him and the CB's not take silly risks and that's exactly what Ruben said too.

[@ChipHound]

In as much as I like Martinez, I will not keep him as one of the 3 CBs based on his performance this season. Regardless of whether he played under ETH (this season) or Amorim, he clearly lost his pace (e.g. trying to get back after crossing the midfield) and get exposed during corners and set plays due to his height and being overpowered. I will certainly keep De Ligt and Yoro and will either have Maz (intelligence and mobility) or Maguire (power and tenacity) as the 3rd CB.

[@AbednegoMwangangi-pe3qv]

We are having very very average players 😢

[@wilder17]

the problem with many players in this squad is they have one area in which they are so weak it gets exposed regularly. Aside from Mazraoui, Amad, Dalot, Ugarte and likely Yoro. we do not have enough all around solid footballers that check boxes in every category. Rashford and Garnacho have terrible decision making and defensively lazy. Bruno is physically weak, Mount is small and weak for center of pitch, Mainoo is slow (hopefully improves), Maguire is too slow, Casemiro and Erisken are too slow, Martinez is kind of short and slow, Hojlund's close control is very hit or miss. Usually you allow 1-2 players with such deficits because they overwhelm in another category (see Haaland, Bernardo Silva). out of all those players you could argue Bruno and Martinez have a world class attribute that makes up for there shortcomings. But I can't think of another squad in the big teams where they have so many players that have such a glaring physical or mental deficit.

[@amaechionuorah6289]

Man utd should sign Ousmane Diomande to be the central defensive sweeper..de ligt and Maguire are limited on the ball progressively. Sign Theo Hernandez as left back Sign a central midfielder with high progressive passing range to make up for ugarte progressive passes limitation. Sign Florin Wirtz to assume the bruno role. Sign Kivaraleskia to replace Rashford and Garnacho should be his understudy.

[@MohaaHusien]

My opinion i would say Onana Yoro De ligt Martinez Ugarte Mount Dalot. Maazroui Amad. Bruno Hojland

[@shaniell.mathur6372]

I think Neville is wrong . This is way to early to give judgment on Amorim . Amorim needs time .

[@sksmsdmltoek]

last image need to change

[@UncleAlpha1]

Amad needs to be forward

[@SainabouHydara-d9y]

Garnacho, Rashford, Mount none of them is fit to play on that position we need Omar Marmoush.

[@bamgomes]

So your start eleven is almost the same one that played against Forest. With the exception of Yoro.

[@AJAnalysis]

The 11 I actually recommended had 3 changes from the Forest game. Although I do think the team against Forest was close to what Amorim views as *his* strongest 💚

[@bamgomes]

@AJAnalysis I was referring to the first one you showed. Then you made your own changes.

[@AJAnalysis]

@@bamgomes Ah okay, in that case I do feel as though we are close to what Amorim believes is his "strongest" team at the moment

[@bamgomes]

​@@AJAnalysisI don't think Amorim sees Mazrauoui as a winger. He likes to have centre backs who can control the ball and pass the ball. Also the centre backs on the sides need to be fast because of the counter attacks. And that's why he put Mazrauoui as centre back and he performed very well. But you are right about Mount when he's 100% fit he will be on the start eleven a lot of times. Another player that can start a lot of times when he's 100% fit is Lindelof. I think he suits this formation quite well. But let's see. Amorim is working with them and he knows best which player fits best where. One thing I was expecting and didn't happen yet was to see Garnacho on another position, maybe winger, since Amorim mentioned he had two positions for him.

[@leek.6500]

The maguire for de ligt is as STINKER OPINION. The only thing that makes sense if you put yoro where mazraoui is but move him where dalot is. With bruno altering with mainoo. Coz he is still a kid. But thats about it. Garnacho is still learning the position at the moment he will come good in the future. The only change for him is mount but he isn't 100% match fit. But the transfer window is the best bet for now

[@Mopark25]

It is absolutely not a stinker opinion, Maguire has been our best CB and he's a better passer than De Ligt.

[@notharryhindsight7746]

Never thought I'd say this but Kobbie has been poor. He is too slow on and off the ball. His positioning is quite poor defensively and he lacks the intensity that Amorim wants. I hope he improves but atm Ugarte is basically doing all the work in that partnership.

[@AI12321]

For Amorim’s best 11, he needs to pick from the academy. The first team and bench just needs to be moved on. Barring may be mazraoui, amad, de ligt, yoro, ugarte and hojlund

[@faisalstudios10]

i think Kobbie too slow to play in this system

[@Bloodnok49]

While Amorim's system depends on mobility and stamina, skill is every bit as important, since it is possession-based football. Mainoo may lack pace, but he is willing, has stamina and above all, skill on the ball,

[@ma2ndaboy272]

I think long term Martinez must play in the Central, he can't defend out wide

[@notharryhindsight7746]

Center won't work either. Teams will just send long balls through the centre. Martinez is better on the side.

[@ma2ndaboy272]

@notharryhindsight7746 Check it, when Martinez was at his best it was Shaw on the left, Martinez in the centre, Varane more on the right and Dalot flying forward. Hence why I was think Martinez central, but Onana must deal with the long balls

[@bernarddarkwah3998]

Martinez, Maguire and Yoro at the back? No. We know Maguire's weekness is pace, Lisandro lack the pace and physicality to face certain attackers and Yoro is inexperienced. He was good for the French league but this league is a step up and he would need time to settle. We need to lower our expectation on him, he's just 19 n new to the league... so dem 3 no no no. I dont think De ligt is suited for the CCB, but he needs to be in there in the 3 back, n its best to keep Mazraoui in there as well for now.

[@eamonnpotts5063]

No strong side is strong with Rashford and Dalot in it!

[@pb_mj5924]

It has come out that rashford can be sold

[@ianrichards1839]

Good luck finding a buyer

[@smag7477]

I find it funny that the front 3 that’s made us score 4 goals against Everton is never chosen, by the manager and the fans. 😂 this club is finished

[@edwich4476]

I love this line up. I agree replacing De Ligt with Maguire

[@gregoryho9307]

Fernandes doesn’t have the athleticism nor the dribbling ability to play as an Amorim inside forward. In fact I struggle to see where Fernandes fits in this system. If any team offers 40-50m euros we must sell.

[@Chi_Gbenga]

The moment you mentioned Maguire, I lost interest. De ligt has his flaws but Maguire isn’t a fit for the CCB role. He hasn’t got a good recovery pace. Yoro is probably the best at CCB.

[@Therealbosaso]

You’re picking the wrong player lad. What about Martinez He doesn’t know how to pass. He doesn’t know how to cross the ball. He doesn’t know how to send a ball. He just literally holds the ball and pass it back

[@trostyy__]

grape

[@FireHead-xm8ih]

AJ how much did maguire paid you 😂

[@footballscholar782]

Lad, you lost all credibility using Maguire as your first example. He is a good back up to deligt (nothing more).

[@reeveswongpiano]

No Lord Antony? I’m unsubscribing. Sorry AJ, you can’t disrespect the GOAT like that

[@AJAnalysis]

Im sorry man :(

[@Doctor_Kroom]

Bruno fernandes is not good enough as a no. 10 in a not counter attacking system. He treats the ball like a grenade and is not press resistant enough to operate in tight spaces

[@hugopinheiro2081]

onana best goalkeeper in pl? common

[@TanKhengChai-t8s]

Amorim please get rid of those high pay yet under performed players.

[@thomasaldrich6360]

Lost me at Maguire dominant in the air did you see him against arsenal give me a break.

[@mustaphasirina1892]

Dalot at left back to me its not cool at all

[@anarmedia4077]

MAZ-lwb Yoro-rcb Dalit need to find new club

[@calibur390]

I like Zirkzee in that left inside forward role more than Mount on the right. We saw against Everton how well he can hold up and play off of others which I think suits the tactical setup more. Plus I don't trust Mount to stay fit.

[@bobkelly6217]

onana, martinez de ligt yoro, ugate mount as 6 and 8 , mazraoui and amad wingbacks mainoo and fernandes as 10s hojlund

[@leefrost3336]

I don’t see why the LWB (Dalot or Maz) can’t invert to the left ten position with Garna going outside in possession where he is better? Front five of Garna - Maz - Hojlund - Bruno - Amad

[@MrRokkit]

*Maguire:* I think you're spot on. He's a better middle CB than DeLigt. He's a also better captain than Bruno!

[@kevinfitz8516]

good lord how wrong can one commenter be?

[@leek.6500]

as a back up i can here it but starting week in week out that opinion is delusional. And he isnt better than de ligt. Stop this nonsense talk. I bet even stats aint backing this if not the eyes

[@MisterO98]

Onana, Yoro, De Ligt, Licha, Ugarte, Mainoo, Malacia, Maza, Rasmus, Mount, and Amad. Any starting 11 that includes either of Dalot, Maguire, Evans, Casemiro, Eriksen, Shaw, Lindelof, Rashford, Antony or Bruno is a DISASTER!

[@dok951]

Amorim does not have a BEST anything he has a mediocre 11 and the rest are heading out the ex it doors

[@chrissilvester5663]

Imo our best 11 is this Onana Yoro De Ligt Martinez Amad Ugarte Mainoo Mazraoui Mount Bruno Hojlund

[@harrisonopare4851]

martinez needs to be dropped..he was good in his first season but hes crap now

[@aidangriffiths5075]

Neville really needs to shut his mouth sometimes. He knows nothing about managing a gigantic football club

[@Therealbosaso]

You’re picking the wrong player lad. What about Martinez He doesn’t know how to pass. He doesn’t know how to cross the ball. He doesn’t know how to send a ball. He just literally holds the ball and pass it back