The departure of Ruben Amorim from Manchester United has been met with a telling, if subtle, reaction from the family of one of the club's most promising young talents. Kobbie Mainoo's sister, Ama Mainoo, took to Instagram to share a pointed post just hours after the manager's sacking was confirmed on Monday morning.
A Cryptic Social Media Reaction
Her Instagram story featured a widely grinning image of American rapper Yung Miami, a visual that many interpreted as a light-hearted but clear dig at the outgoing boss. This public display follows weeks of visible frustration from Mainoo's camp over his lack of first-team opportunities this season.
The 20-year-old midfielder, who burst onto the scene under Erik ten Hag in 2022, saw his fortunes plummet following Amorim's appointment in October 2024. Despite scoring the decisive goal in the 2024 FA Cup final victory against Manchester City and becoming a key figure for England at Euro 2024, Mainoo found himself marginalised.
A Season of Frustration and Stalled Progress
Amorim's tactical preference for deploying captain Bruno Fernandes in a deeper role effectively blocked Mainoo's path to his preferred position. The consequence was stark: Mainoo failed to start a single Premier League game this season. This lack of minutes has had a direct impact on his international career, with England manager Thomas Tuchel overlooking him for recent squads ahead of the 2025 World Cup.
Tuchel had previously expressed his admiration for the player in August, stating: 'Sometimes you can feel the pressure and changes in the club are not in your favour and he's lacking the minutes. I don't think he lacks anything else. He has the experience, the power, the quality, the talent.'
The tension spilled into public view last month when Mainoo's half-brother, Jordan Mainoo-Hames, was pictured at Old Trafford wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with 'Free Kobbie Mainoo'. Amorim responded by criticising a culture of 'entitlement' among United's young players, though he stopped short of blaming Kobbie for his brother's actions.
What Next for Mainoo at Old Trafford?
With his prospects stalled, Mainoo had pushed for a loan move away in the January transfer window, with Napoli reportedly interested. Amorim blocked that move, insisting the midfielder was the 'future of Manchester United'. However, a calf injury then ruled Mainoo out of contention to replace the injured Bruno Fernandes, further compounding his frustrating season.
The managerial change, with Under-18s coach Darren Fletcher set to take temporary charge, could now signal a dramatic shift. Fletcher is expected to implement a 4-3-3 system, which may finally open the door for the talented Stockport-born star to reclaim his place and revive a career that had been soaring just months ago.
