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Manchester United stars baffled by Ruben Amorim’s handling of this English star at Old Trafford

Originally posted on We All Follow United
By Rohit Sarkar | Last updated Sep 18, 2025 6:37 PM ET

Manchester United players are surprised by Ruben Amorim’s handling of Kobbie Mainoo

Kobbie Mainoo’s future at Manchester United is up in the air, as he is rarely finding game time under Ruben Amorim. The 20-year-old midfielder is not the first pick of the manager, as he feels that his direct competition is with United captain Ruben Amorim. The Portuguese manager has not trusted the English international as a defensive midfielder in his 3-4-2-1 system.

Amorim has earlier called Mainoo a work in progress and hinted that he still needs to adapt to the system. The Englishman wanted to leave on loan in the summer, but United decided that they wouldn’t be offloading him unless they signed a proper replacement for him. In the 2025/26 Premier League season so far, Mainoo has played just two matches with an average of 36 minutes.

Meanwhile, the club continues to struggle this season. The Red Devils have won just one game out of the four matches in the Premier League, and League 2 team Grimsby Town also knocked them out of the Carabao Cup on penalties. Ruben Amorim is under a lot of pressure as his side finished 15th in the league last season, and is currently 14th in the league table.

TalkSPORT journalist Alex Crook has reported that United players are surprised that Ruben Amorim is not using Mainoo consistently in the starting lineup. Crook reported that the players expected that the 20-year-old would play a more important part in the team this season, as United are looking to build a new project.

The report also reveals that some players within the dressing room are questioning Amorim’s decision not to play such a talented player even when the team is struggling. The players feel that the English midfielder could strengthen the squad with his quality and talent at this age.

Why should Amorim play Mainoo?

Kobbie Mainoo, at this moment, can turn out to be the potential solution to United’s midfield woes. The 20-year-old possesses composure, situational awareness, creativity and is especially good at tight spaces. Amorim’s rigid 3-4-2-1 formation is actually sidelining Mainoo’s qualities and traits.

The Portuguese manager needs to change his tactics to accommodate the Englishman, and needs to give him the freedom as a number eight or can use him in a three-man midfield in his 4-3-3 formation. Amorim needs to make use of his ability to carry the ball forward as a box-to-box midfielder.

If Mainoo does not get consistent game time, he will put pressure on United to let him leave and refuse to sign a new contract, as his place in the World Cup 2026 squad will be in danger without proper game time. There is no doubt that United will lament losing a talent like Mainoo in the future.

There is no scarcity of suitors for a talent like Mainoo. Real Madrid are one of the clubs that want the talented midfielder.United can look to sell 30-year-old Bruno Fernandes if they receive a very high bid from Saudi clubs, which they can use to sign a defensive midfielder like Carlos Baleba and Adam Wharton. United can then use Mainoo in the creative role. Fans will now have to wait and see if Amorim does make the desired changes to turn around the current situation.

This article first appeared on We All Follow United and was syndicated with permission.

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