Harry Maguire has criticised former Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim, claiming that Kobbie Mainoo would have left the club had the Portuguese remained in charge. Maguire revealed the youngster's treatment under Amorim, who struggled to find a role for the academy graduate.
Mainoo's Limited Opportunities Under Amorim
Mainoo endured a difficult first half of the 2025-26 season, failing to start a Premier League match until Amorim was sacked in January. The 41-year-old coach trialled Mainoo in multiple positions, including as a striker in a home defeat to Crystal Palace in February 2025, before deciding he would have to compete with Bruno Fernandes for a deeper midfield role.
Reflecting on that period, Mainoo told reporters: "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."
Maguire's Assessment of Amorim's Handling
Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast on Netflix, Maguire was asked whether he was baffled by how Mainoo was handled. "Yeah, I think it all stemmed out of that we played a formation where there was two [in central midfield] and he wanted Bruno to be one of those two," Maguire explained. "And then I think he wanted a real defensive one alongside Bruno and at the time Kobbie was young, inexperienced and probably didn't know the position as well."
Maguire added: "But listen, if Ruben was still the manager now, Kobbie would have probably been shifted on and be looking for a new club but he's turned things around, credit to him. It would have been a mistake because he's a Manchester lad, he's come through the academy and we want them players in our club to drive the club forward for the next 10 years. And hopefully he is at the club for the next 10 years because he has the ability to do so."
Mainoo's Resurgence Under Carrick
Michael Carrick, who initially replaced Amorim on a short-term deal until the end of the season, immediately restored Mainoo to the starting XI. The 21-year-old's form in the second half of the campaign was so strong that it earned him a place in England's World Cup squad. Mainoo had even submitted a loan request in the final week of the summer transfer window, frustrated by his lack of opportunities, but United rejected the move.
Maguire praised Mainoo's performances: "I think he was a top player before the last three months of the season, but the last couple of months of the season, arguably him and Bruno have been our best players. He's held everything together; he's so good on the ball, he takes the ball, he's strong, he's looking more athletic. He's still young, he still can grow into his body, he's still going to gather experience. He's got to learn the position, and when he learns the position he's going to become even better. But I believe he's going to have such a wonderful career."
Future Under Carrick
With Carrick now in charge for a full season, Mainoo is expected to play a far more significant role. The midfielder has expressed his confidence in Carrick's methods: "I love the way he coaches and manages me personally in the team as well. I think everyone in the squad can agree with that. When he officially got the job, we were all so happy."
