Kobbie Mainoo responds to Ruben Amorim sacking

Manchester United are still picking up the pieces after another turbulent week, with uncertainty hanging over Carrington as players attempt to refocus ahead of a crucial run of fixtures.

The aftermath of a managerial change often exposes fault lines within a squad, and this one has been no different, with supporters closely monitoring every reaction, post and omission.

Social media, as ever, has become an unofficial barometer for dressing-room sentiment, offering subtle clues about who felt aligned with the previous regime and who did not.

In modern football, silence can be just as loud as a statement, especially when emotions are raw and futures remain unclear.

At Old Trafford, the spotlight has once again shifted from results on the pitch to behaviour off it, as the fallout continues to unfold.

Ruben Amorim was sacked by Manchester United on Monday morning, a decision that followed the club’s 1-1 draw with Leeds United and a breakdown in relations between the Portuguese coach and the hierarchy.

His dismissal came after months of reported tension, with Amorim unwilling to move away from his preferred system built around three central defenders, a stance that increasingly put him at odds with the board.

Since his exit was confirmed, a number of first-team players have publicly acknowledged Amorim’s 14-month spell in charge, including captain Bruno Fernandes and full-back Diogo Dalot, both of whom posted messages of thanks.

However, as attention turned to those tributes, the absence of several familiar names quickly became a talking point among supporters.

By Tuesday morning, nine members of the senior squad had yet to post anything at all in response to Amorim’s departure.

One of the most eye-catching silences belonged to Kobbie Mainoo, although the midfielder did offer a different kind of reaction away from the traditional farewell message.

The 20-year-old was seen liking an Instagram post on Monday that featured a series of memes mocking Amorim’s sacking, accompanied by the caption: “I’d be laughing too after getting a £10mil payout.”

That line mirrors reports suggesting Amorim is due a compensation package worth just over £10 million following his dismissal.

Former United player, Alejandro Garnacho, also responded to the news by liking Fabrizio Romano’s initial announcement of the news of Amorim’s sacking.

Kobbie Mainoo was not alone, with four players from Amorim’s final starting XI against Leeds also yet to comment publicly.

Goalkeeper Senne Lammens, defender Lisandro Martinez, and midfielders Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte have all remained silent, with Martinez and Casemiro standing out due to their senior status within the squad.

Lammens was signed during Amorim’s tenure, while Ugarte previously worked under the Portuguese coach at Sporting before their reunion at United, making their lack of response particularly notable.

Elsewhere, goalkeepers Altay Bayindir and Tom Heaton, defenders Noussair Mazraoui and Tyrell Malacia, and youngster Chido Obi have also not posted messages.

Obi’s situation is especially telling, having been handed his debut by Amorim last season before falling out of favour entirely during the current campaign.

As Manchester United move on under interim arrangements, these quiet reactions underline that Amorim’s exit will not be universally mourned, hinting at deeper divisions that the next permanent manager will need to address swiftly.