Manchester United, despite losing 1-0 to Arsenal in their 2025/26 Premier League season curtain-raiser, put in a performance that Ruben Amorim will be pleased with; the Old Trafford faithful, however, are less pleased given that one star’s future looks to be in doubt after being an unused substitute.
Riccardo Calafiori made the most of Altay Bayindir’s weak palm in the 13th minute to nod into an empty net – and the Italian’s goal opened and closed the scoring as Mikel Arteta’s north Londoners picked up their first three points of the campaign.
Amorim, one of the best young managers in world football, was keen to get underway with a victory after last season’s tumultuous nature; and, although that didn’t come to fruition, he irked the fanbase by leaving a fan favourite on the bench for the entirety of the 90 minutes.
Amorim’s ‘Disappointing’ Decision Irked Man Utd Fans
ruben amorim
Born in 2005, Stockport-born Kobbie Mainoo – a proud Carrington alumnus – faces a confusing future given that Amorim is seemingly unsure of his best position. By trade, the Englishman is a central midfielder but has also shone bright in the No.10 role.
But given that Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo were signed from Wolverhampton Wanderers and Brentford, respectively, throughout this summer’s transfer window, what is the talented 20-year-old's best position moving forward under Amorim?
When Manchester United were searching for a goal against the Gunners, Amorim looked to his bench and replaced Casemiro with Manuel Ugarte instead of Mainoo, a player who is widely regarded as one of the best young players in world football.
Kobbie Mainoo during a Manchester United training session
Last season, Mainoo played 37 times – equating to 2,079 minutes – across all competitions and GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed that Old Trafford higher-ups are planning to keep hold of the England international amid interest in his signature. Tottenham Hotspur have been earmarked as potential buyers.
In the wake of starting the new season staring defeat down the barrel, members of the Old Trafford have taken to X (formerly Twitter) to berate Amorim’s decision to leave Mainoo on the bench, while Ugarte managed to chalk up 25 minutes.
“Amorim putting on Ugarte before Mainoo is a sackable offence,” one said before another added: “We’re bringing on Ugarte before Mainoo btw. But Amorim fans told me if we signed Baleba, Mainoo will still play because we will rotate lmao.”
“Can’t believe Mainoo hasn’t seen a minute yet,” said another before a fourth fan was concerned that Casemiro started over the young midfielder. “My big concern is Casemiro… him over Ugarte and Mainoo worries me in 2025,” they wrote.
“I’m sorry, I don’t care how much he fits into the system, Mainoo should never be on the bench watching Ugarte play football.”
“A manager that rates Ugarte over Mainoo is not a good manager, a sixth supporter mentioned as another added that Mainoo failing to get on the pitch is a disappointing end to losing 1-0 to the Londoners. “Mainoo not getting a look in is disappointing.”