Kobbie Mainoo remained on the bench as Manchester United dropped points yet again at Old Trafford, settling for a 1-1 draw with West Ham after conceding late.
Despite rivals slipping up elsewhere, Manchester United failed to capitalise, and Ruben Amorim opted to introduce Manuel Ugarte to partner Casemiro in midfield, a decision that produced another underwhelming display from the Uruguayan.
Kobbie Mainoo, meanwhile, continues to be overlooked. The academy product has yet to start a Premier League match this season and has accumulated just 171 minutes across 14 appearances.
It marks a dramatic shift from his breakout 2023/24 campaign, where the 20-year-old was widely regarded as United’s standout performer and famously scored the winning goal in the FA Cup final against Manchester City. His impressive form carried into Euro 2024, where he was considered one of England’s key players.
However, under Amorim, his situation has changed drastically, and a potential loan move during the summer was blocked, leaving the midfielder frustrated and fighting for opportunities.
Amorim sends brutal Mainoo message
Amorim was questioned about Mainoo being left on the bench once again after dropping points to West Ham and his response was brutal.
After laughing about the suggestion of Mainoo being an attacking player who could have helped win the game, the United boss stated that he will not be pressured into playing the midfielder just because he is liked.
“Of course, I understand [the questions about him],” he said. “My job is to answer. But I’m trying to answer always the same thing, and you ask me always the same thing.
“I understand what you are saying. You love Kobbie. He was, he starts for England, but that doesn’t mean I need to put Kobbie [in] when I feel I shouldn’t put Kobbie [in], so it’s my decision.”
INEOS are still backing Amorim
United have lost just one of their last eight games but there has been just one win the last five and they were all games that the Reds should have done better in.
Despite this, according to Fabrizio Romano, there is currently no danger of Amorim being sacked by INEOS and they are sticking with him at this stage of the season.
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It has previously been reported that United believe that the squad must qualify for Europe this season and Amorim’s job will likely only be under threat if that target is looking unlikely.
But with the inconsistency of other teams in the Premier League, matched with United’s lack of Europe this term, and many feel like Champions League qualification is the minimum for Amorim and his team to achieve.
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