Steven Gerrard Condemns Ruben Amorim's Handling of Kobbie Mainoo at Manchester United
Former England captain Steven Gerrard has launched a scathing attack on Ruben Amorim, accusing the ex-Manchester United manager of treating young midfielder Kobbie Mainoo in a manner that was "out of order". Gerrard's comments highlight a stark contrast in Mainoo's fortunes under Amorim compared to his successor, Michael Carrick.
Mainoo's Marginalisation Under Amorim's Reign
When Ruben Amorim took over at Manchester United, he inherited a squad where Kobbie Mainoo had established himself as a regular fixture, having burst onto the scene under previous manager Erik ten Hag. However, rather than building his team around the promising talent, Amorim opted to relegate Mainoo to a peripheral role within the squad.
Throughout Amorim's tenure, which ended in January 2026, Mainoo did not start a single Premier League match. His only full 90-minute appearance came in a Carabao Cup fixture, severely limiting his playing time and development. This exclusion had significant repercussions, causing Mainoo to drop out of the England national team setup despite having started in the Euro 2024 final and impressing throughout the tournament.
The situation sparked widespread speculation that Mainoo might leave his boyhood club, with reports linking him to clubs such as Napoli. His career at United appeared to be in jeopardy under Amorim's management.
Carrick's Immediate Reversal of Mainoo's Fortunes
Since Michael Carrick replaced Amorim at the start of 2026, Kobbie Mainoo's trajectory has dramatically reversed. Mainoo has started all 10 matches under Carrick, contributing to a run where Manchester United have accumulated more points than any other Premier League side during that period.
This resurgence has not gone unnoticed at the international level. Mainoo was recalled to Thomas Tuchel's England squad announced on Friday, with expectations high that he will secure a place in the squad for the upcoming World Cup in North America this summer.
Gerrard's Blunt Assessment and Praise for Carrick
Speaking on TNT Sport, Steven Gerrard expressed his sympathy for Mainoo and criticised Amorim's handling of the situation. "I felt really sorry for him in terms of the kid's career under Amorim," Gerrard stated. "I think it was out of order that he never got any opportunity, especially with Man United being so inconsistent."
Gerrard praised Michael Carrick's decision to reintegrate Mainoo into the starting lineup, describing it as a straightforward win for the new manager. "But not surprised that Michael Carrick [started to play him]. I think that was one of the straight wins if you walk into a job, if you like. Get Kobbie Mainoo back in, get him smiling, give him game time and minutes, and get him fit and up to the speed where we all know he can play."
He added, "He's now at a level where he walks in the England squad, never mind Amorim not playing him. He walks into the England squad if he's playing regularly for Man United."
Future Prospects for Mainoo at Manchester United
In addition to his England recall, Kobbie Mainoo is now poised to sign a new long-term contract with Manchester United. His current deal was set to expire next summer, but negotiations are underway to extend it until 2031, reflecting his renewed importance to the club.
The turnaround under Carrick has not only revitalised Mainoo's club career but also restored his international prospects, positioning him as a key player for both Manchester United and England in the seasons ahead.
