Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has delivered a direct and uncompromising message to young midfielder Kobbie Mainoo: stay at Old Trafford and fight for your place. This comes amid growing speculation about a potential January loan move for the 20-year-old, who is yet to start a Premier League game this season.
Amorim Invokes United Legends
Addressing Mainoo's frustration at a lack of starting opportunities, Amorim pointed to the early careers of club icons to make his case. He explicitly mentioned Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney as examples of global stars who also experienced periods on the bench before establishing themselves as Manchester United legends. The manager also recalled the situation of former midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron.
"I think that is not a bad thing to be on the bench of Manchester United when you are 20 years old," Amorim stated. "I remember Ronaldo was on the bench, Rooney was on the bench sometimes. Veron was not playing." The Portuguese coach emphasised that his sole focus is on winning matches and selecting the right team for each game, not making examples of individuals.
A Potential Start and Family Drama
The situation could see a dramatic shift as soon as this weekend. Amorim hinted that Mainoo may be in line for his first league start of the campaign when United face Aston Villa on Sunday. The manager suggested a possible tactical change to a back four, which could accommodate the youngster as part of a three-man midfield.
Amorim encouraged Mainoo to use any frustration as fuel for his performance, stating, "If he plays well, he's going to show everyone. 'This guy cannot take me from the team', and I will be so happy."
The narrative took a personal turn recently when Mainoo's half-brother, Jordan, attended United's match against Bournemouth on Monday wearing a T-shirt with the slogan 'Free Kobbie Mainoo'. Amorim, drawing on a similar experience with his own brother at Sporting Lisbon, downplayed the incident, saying it was Jordan's opinion and separate from the player himself.
Loan Interest and a Manager's Stance
Despite Amorim's current stance, the possibility of a January loan exit had been floated just a week earlier. Italian side Napoli are reportedly among a group of clubs monitoring Mainoo's situation with interest in a temporary deal.
However, Amorim has now firmly criticised any club legends who have suggested Mainoo should seek a move away. His message is clear: he wants the academy graduate to prove his worth at Manchester United. "I'm just saying that I'm trying to win games and to show to the players that if you do the things right, you will play no matter what the name," Amorim concluded, reinforcing his meritocratic philosophy.
