Ruben Amorim will face Kobbie Mainoo for the first time since being sacked as Manchester United head coach, as United take on AC Milan in their final pre-season game at the Tarczynski Arena. Amorim, who was appointed by AC Milan in June, will be reunited with the midfielder he denied a loan request last summer.
Mainoo's Difficult Period Under Amorim
While Marcus Rashford has dominated headlines this week after returning to the club following an 18-month absence, Mainoo has even more reason to be frosty with Amorim. Rashford was allowed to leave on loan to Aston Villa after being axed in December 2024, but Mainoo was denied a loan move despite Amorim having decided he did not fit into his system.
The consequences were severe for Mainoo, who went through the most difficult period of his career. He did not start a Premier League game last term until Amorim was sacked on January 5, and would have been forced to leave on a permanent transfer if Amorim had remained in charge.
Mainoo's Revival Under Carrick
Darren Fletcher reinstated Mainoo to the starting XI in the second of his two games as caretaker boss, and his form under Michael Carrick earned him a spot in the England squad. Reflecting on his season, Mainoo told reporters in the USA: “I mean, obviously there were difficult times. But I tried to keep my focus on what was in front of me, take things day by day and just keep working my craft, keep working hard for the team, and I hoped the rest would come. Thankfully it has.”
When asked if he had Carrick to partly thank for his World Cup call-up, he said: "Definitely, and I told him that I was very grateful. Because if he hadn't put me on the pitch, then I wouldn't have been here so, I'm always grateful to him for that."
Amorim's Stance Proven Wrong
Mainoo was diplomatic in describing his situation as "difficult," but his answer on Amorim's treatment would likely be different behind closed doors. Today's game will only be available to follow on MUTV, meaning there is no chance the in-house cameras will show Mainoo and Amorim in close proximity.
There will be warm embraces between United players and Amorim, as some posted farewell messages when he was sacked, and Bryan Mbeumo suggested Amorim still had the players' support. Mainoo will not be among them, though. Amorim's stance on Mainoo was not personal, but his professional opinion has been proven to be nonsensical.
"Some of you think that Kobbie Mainoo is already done [the finished article]. I think he can do so much better, he can improve in a lot," said Amorim during a press conference in September. "I think for some guys it is enough [their talent], but for him it is not enough. Maybe it’s not fair, but I think I'm helping Kobbie Mainoo, and that’s it. He will have opportunities like the other guys."
Mainoo could be at the heart of United's midfield for the next 10 years. When he conducted his first interview with external media in 2024, the press officer smiled as they said the midfielder would be a United mixed zone representative every four weeks for the next decade. Nobody at the club has ever doubted how crucial Mainoo is to United, apart from Amorim.
