Kobbie Mainoo has revealed that he learned how to be patient during a difficult period of limited playing time under Ruben Amorim at Manchester United. The midfielder, who was handed his senior debut by Erik ten Hag and scored in the 2024 FA Cup final win over Manchester City, found his opportunities reduced after Amorim replaced Ten Hag.
Mainoo made 40 appearances under the Portuguese head coach, but most came from the bench. In the first half of last season, the academy product did not complete a single 90 minutes in the Premier League.
Loan request and injury setback
In August 2025, sensing chances would be rare, Mainoo requested a loan move away from Old Trafford. United refused the request, continuing to view him as a key member of the squad. Shortly before Christmas, Mainoo suffered a calf injury, and by the time he recovered, Amorim had been sacked.
Interim head coach Michael Carrick then started Mainoo in the Manchester derby in January, and the midfielder did not look back. Carrick later became permanent head coach, and Mainoo's performances alongside Casemiro helped United return to this season's Champions League.
Lessons in discipline
Ahead of the trip to Atletico Madrid, Mainoo spoke with legendary midfielder Clarence Seedorf about his time under Amorim. "I learned a lot off the pitch, like patience," Mainoo admitted. "It helped me get into a routine a lot, you know.
"I can only control what I can control, which is my routines, what I am doing away from the pitch so I can stay sharp and try and stay fit. I think that helped me a lot as well with discipline."
"No [it was not easy]," Mainoo continued. "When you are not playing, the season feels long and even if you don’t see an end to it, you have to keep training and working like the next game is the one. So that’s the main thing, staying ready."
Injury concerns ahead of Atletico clash
Whether Mainoo will be ready for the game remains to be seen. The midfielder, along with Luke Shaw, was absent from training at Carrington on Monday, joining existing injury concerns Patrick Dorgu, Noussair Mazraoui and Benjamin Sesko in not training.
Historically, United have shared which players have travelled for away games in Europe, but this season the club has chosen not to do so, believing disclosing their squad could be advantageous to opponents. Carrick is set to face the media in Madrid this evening when an injury update will be given.
