Kobbie Mainoo at risk of one-game ban following Rúben Amorim’s Manchester United appointment

Kobbie Mainoo risks receiving a one-match ban as Rúben Amorim takes charge as Manchester United’s new head coach.

Manchester United have announced the hiring of Ruben Amorim as their new Head Coach following the departure of Erik ten Hag.

After signing a contract extension in the summer, ten Hag struggled this season, with United dropping to 14th in the Premier League and 21st in the Europa League. His exit was confirmed on Monday morning, prompting the club to quickly appoint Amorim as his successor.

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Amorim will officially assume his duties on 11 November, with his first match in charge set for 24 November, away against Ipswich Town.

However, before his appointment, United have a fixture against Leicester City on Sunday, 10 November, which Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge of as his fourth and final game as interim boss.

Mainoo is a suspension risk

While Kobbie Mainoo will not play against Leicester due to a hamstring injury sustained last month, he is at risk of receiving a one-match ban during Rúben Amorim’s opening two months as head coach.

So far this season, Mainoo has played seven times in the Premier League and received four yellow cards, coming against Brighton & Hove Albion, Liverpool, Southampton, and Aston Villa.

With nine games left until the halfway point of the league season, should Mainoo pick up another yellow before then, his total in the competition would rise to five, resulting in a one-match ban.

The ban only applies if all five are collected before the 20th game of the campaign, but should a player pick up ten throughout the season, they will receive a two-match ban, with 15 yellows resulting in a three-match ban.

Mainoo’s injury latest

Speaking earlier this week, Van Nistelrooy provided an update on Kobbie Manioo’s injury status, explaining that the English midfielder was edging closer to a return but would not be ready to face Leicester.

“Kobbie is also progressing in his injury, he’s making the right steps, but is not yet with the team, though. That needs a bit more time,” he said.

Mainoo is expected to play a stellar role under Amorim once the 39-year-old takes charge of the club, although his position is unclear.

He has mostly played in a pivot at United so far, but former United midfielder Paul Scholes reckons he could thrive in the No. 10 position under Amorim, who often deploys two attacking midfielders in his 3-4-2-1 set-up.

“He’s then got his two number 10s, which is something you don’t see here [in England],” Scholes said earlier this week. “And I think he’s got the players right.

“I think Fernandes is definitely one of them. I actually think Mainoo could be one of them as well. I think he’d be a better player, playing higher up. He’s one of them 10s with a bit of security in behind. I think it’ll suit him more, but there’s loads of questions to ask.”

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