‘I have faith in him, but he can enhance his game’ – Amorim on Mainoo’s prospects

Introduction

Kobbie Mainoo was denied a much-desired move away from Manchester United during the transfer window, and now manager Ruben Amorim has clarified his expectations for the young England midfielder.

A Rising Star at United

Mainoo, who has spent nearly his entire youth career at Manchester United since joining at age nine, has become a key figure in conversations about the club’s future direction.

• Hailing from Stockport and a longtime supporter of United, he played a memorable role in the 2024 FA Cup final, contributing to a victory over Manchester City.
• As part of the England team, he also featured in the 2024 Euros final, where they faced off against Spain.

This background positions Mainoo as an embodiment of United’s tradition of nurturing young talent.

Current Challenges

Interestingly, Mainoo was the only homegrown player included in Amorim’s squad for the recent Premier League clash against Burnley, reinforcing United’s tradition of fielding academy-developed talent since 1937. However, doubts surround Amorim’s intentions regarding Mainoo’s involvement.

During the previous season, Amorim started him in just 12 of 27 league matches, with the 20-year-old sidelined for seven additional games due to injury. In crucial stages of the Europa League, he found himself on the bench, emerging only as a late substitute during the final match against Tottenham.

To date, Mainoo has not been utilized in Premier League matches against notable teams like Arsenal and Fulham, though he stepped in due to an injury to Mason Mount during the Burnley match.

Amorim has communicated to Mainoo that he is effectively competing against team captain Bruno Fernandes for the pivotal ‘number eight’ position in the squad.

During the summer transfer window, faced with limited game time, Mainoo sought a loan arrangement to bolster his chances of making the England World Cup squad; however, a prospective move to Napoli fell through when United’s upper management declined to approve it.

Clarifying Expectations

In light of these events, Amorim decided to emphasize his expectations for Mainoo ahead of their upcoming match against Manchester City.

“I didn’t converse with him during the transfer window as I didn’t want Kobbie to think I was holding onto him for dear life,” Amorim stated. “I believe he has tremendous potential, but some may assume he is already a finished product, which is incorrect. He has room for improvement.”

The Need for Growth

Amorim strongly believes that Mainoo needs to strive for further development rather than relying solely on his physical talents, suggesting that while some players may be satisfied with their current skill level, Mainoo must aim higher. He remarked, “That may not seem fair, but it’s for his benefit, and I’m committed to assisting him in achieving this.”

Understanding the New System

Amorim’s approach, characterized by a 3-4-3 formation, contrasts markedly with previous strategies, and he aims to leverage Mainoo’s abilities to fit this system.

“My style of play is quite different from that of the last manager,” he explained. “Having observed many Premier League games while in Portugal, I sensed the team was somewhat disjointed.”

Amorim noted how Mainoo often contributed to controlling the pace of matches, which is crucial, particularly when stepping into higher-pressure roles. He elaborated that Mainoo possesses the technical know-how but needs to gain a better grasp of positional responsibilities and adapt to varied game tempos.

Future Prospects

With several key players sidelined for the match against Manchester City, it is possible Mainoo will step into the number eight role, with Fernandes potentially moving to a more forward position. Nonetheless, Amorim has alternative options that may see Mainoo remain on the bench.

Ultimately, the path ahead for Mainoo at Manchester United until January is largely set, and his focus must now be on hard work and trust in the coach’s promise to select players based on merit rather than reputation.