Manchester United star Kobbie Mainoo may as well consider his Old Trafford career over if Ruben Amorim doesn't pick him to start against Man City on Sunday afternoon.
The Red Devils will travel across the city to take on their local rivals in the fourth game of the season, with four points from their opening three Premier League games after what has been considered to be a poor start to the campaign.
A defeat to Arsenal on the opening day was followed up by a draw with Fulham and a shock defeat to Grimsby on penalties, before a 97th minute penalty spared their blushes to claim a win over newly-promoted Burnley before the international break.
But the biggest story to come out of those games has been the lack of opportunity for academy sensation and star midfielder Mainoo, whose only start came against Grimsby as Amorim opted to use Mason Mount in a false nine role and Bruno Fernandes in a deeper central midfield position.
Mainoo Must Start v Man City
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The lack of opportunities saw the 20-year-old England international request to leave towards the end of the transfer window on loan in order to play more regularly.
The club flat-out rejected the request, claiming that he should fight for his place in the side with the quality he has. Fans were happy to hear it too, but chances will be hard to come by after Amorim admitted that he is behind captain Fernandes in the pecking order.
When everyone is fit, it's clear that he's an understudy. But right now, he has a great chance to step into the team and stake his claim for the starting spot.
Summer signing Matheus Cunha will miss the game with a hamstring injury, while Mason Mount also has a knock that he picked up against Burnley and he is unavailable. That means there is a clear space in the team for Amorim to be true to his word and give Mainoo a chance.
Bruno should move into his more preferred number ten role, which opens up the deeper role for Mainoo, who has been described as "unbelievable", to walk into. As a Mancunian lad from the academy, he will know exactly what the game means to the fans and it means the team won't have to deviate from their usual game plan of having a more creative player in a deeper role.
However, Mainoo isn't the only option. Manuel Ugarte could also step into the side should Amorim opt for a more defensive approach away from home, while there has also been suggestions that Noussair Mazraoui could come into the wing-back role to allow Amad to move into the number ten role and keep Fernandes deeper.
If Amorim chooses to do that, then it's further evidence that he doesn't trust Mainoo. If he doesn't trust him, then with less than two years remaining on his contract it's obvious that he will have no future at the club under this manager.
Amorim's decision will make it clear to Mainoo and to the fans what he is thinking, and it could spell the end of Mainoo's Old Trafford career.