Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has delivered a clear message to young midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, stating the 20-year-old must 'fight for his job' to earn a regular starting place.
Amorim's Firm Stance on Mainoo's Situation
The talented England international has yet to make a Premier League start this season, a situation that became a major talking point after his half-brother wore a 'Free Kobbie Mainoo' t-shirt during Monday's chaotic 4-4 draw with Bournemouth at Old Trafford. Amorim, however, dismissed the viral stunt as external noise, drawing parallels to his own experience at Sporting Lisbon.
'He's a shy boy, but it's not his responsibility,' Amorim said. 'My explanation is, 'He has his life, he has his opinion, it's nothing to do with me', so I will do the same with Kobbie.' The United boss emphasised that being on the bench at such a young age at a club of this stature is not a negative, citing examples like Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney.
Potential Start and January Transfer Hints
With United facing a shortage of players due to injury, suspension, and the Africa Cup of Nations, Amorim revealed Mainoo could be in line for a start in Sunday's crucial trip to Aston Villa. 'I'm just saying that I'm trying to win games and to show to the players that, if you do things right, you will play no matter what the name,' he stated.
Looking ahead to the January transfer window, which opens next month, Amorim hinted that the club might be active, but only for the right long-term targets. He specifically mentioned Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo, whom he recently labelled a 'special player', as a potential interest. 'The only thing we know is that we only would try to bring players that we think are going to be the future,' Amorim clarified, ruling out short-term fixes for AFCON absences.
Navigating Festive Fixtures and Future Plans
To cope with the squad's current limitations during the busy festive period, Amorim admitted he is considering a tactical shift, potentially moving away from his preferred back three to a back four. His primary focus remains on improving the team and developing players like Mainoo.
'Believe it or not, I just want to help the team to win and help Kobbie to be a better player,' the manager concluded, reinforcing his commitment to both immediate results and long-term squad building at Old Trafford.
