Ruben Amorim has been urged to put more trust in Kobbie Mainoo by Rio Ferdinand despite his admiration for Adam Wharton, who has been linked with Manchester United
Ruben Amorim talking to Kobbie Mainoo
Ruben Amorim is unsure where to fit Kobbie Mainoo into his side
(Image: PA)
Rio Ferdinand has called on Ruben Amorim to place his trust in Kobbie Mainoo despite his respect for Adam Wharton. Manchester United could strengthen their midfield before the transfer deadline and have been linked with Crystal Palace's Wharton and Brighton's Carlos Belaba this summer.
It's understood that Wharton would cost at least £60m while Brighton are demanding more than £100m for Belaba. Nevertheless, according to Ferdinand, United also possess the solution in the form of Mainoo, who remained on the bench during Sunday's home loss to Arsenal.
The ex-United defender is a massive admirer of Wharton but reckons the club can save cash by maximising the potential of Mainoo, who was utilised in various roles last season. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ferdinand said: "He [Wharton] would have been one of the midfielders on my hitlist. Yes, we've been talking about Belaba; he's been the hot topic for the last month or so.
"Before that, Adam Wharton was one of the guys. Listen, he's the nearest to a Michael Carrick type. He's a controller who plays forward from that deeper line position.
"I watched him against a couple of the bigger teams like Liverpool and Man City, and he was unfazed. He's ready for a big occasion and enjoys pressure. I love him, I think he's a fantastic footballer.
"But we've got Kobbie Mainoo. He can do that role, he can control a game and play deep. Playing two central midfielders, Kobbie Mainoo can play that role, given the opportunity. You can play through someone like him, you can get out of tight situations and open the game up.
Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace holds the Community Shield
Wharton could be available for around £60million
"He might just have to be a patient young man at the moment, for the team to find its way, for the manager to then put the trust in him to go and play. If it was me, if I was playing two in the midfield, Kobbie Mainoo would be one of my two.
"I think he's a super talent who can handle the ball as well as anyone at Man United at present. I would give him that responsibility."
After a stunning breakthrough 2023/24 season, when he shone for both United and England, Mainoo suffered an injury-hit campaign. Speaking earlier this year, Amorim revealed he would seek to establish a consistent role for Mainoo.
Kobbie Mainoo of Manchester United in action during a first team training session as part of their pre-season tour of the USA on July 29, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois
Mainoo started the season as an unused substitute
The United boss explained: "We are really happy to have more options and an option like Kobbie Mainoo, with the quality that he has - he has played as a 6, as an 8 and as a 10 - we are really pleased to have Kobbie Mainoo but we have to be careful, we need Kobbie Mainoo fit and fresh.
"In England, sometimes they play with three defenders also, was more or less the same position. So he can play, we need to help him and find a little bit like Casemiro, [who] is playing better because we understand better the way Casemiro can play.
"And I think we can do that with Kobbie because he has a lot of qualities. He is really good on the ball but also near the opponent's box. We will try to manage all that and find the right space for a player like Kobbie."
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