Manchester United risk upsetting crucial defender Leny Yoro with their treatment of Kobbie Mainoo as speculation surrounding his future continues to swirl. Ruben Amorim has left Mainoo on the bench in United's opening two Premier League fixtures against Arsenal and Fulham, raising doubts about his role this season.
The 20-year-old academy graduate is hugely popular among supporters, with many already turning their backs on Amorim over his recent decisions. According to The Athletic, Mainoo is open to leaving his boyhood club before the summer transfer deadline if the right opportunity arises.
Amorim has confirmed that the England international has the daunting task of battling club captain Bruno Fernandes for a starting berth this term.
If Fernandes is fit, he plays, so the United head coach's comments were an ominous indication of a potential lack of opportunities to come.
The Red Devils have a proud history of using academy products at the core of the first team. Players like Tyler Fredricson and Chido Obi have broken through under Amorim's watch.
However, after the Portuguese boss exiled Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford, Mainoo is the last remaining established player of that ilk.
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Fans have shared bemusement over Amorim's inability to fit a player of Mainoo's talent and potential into his 3-4-3 system.
His emergence was memorable, notching up a series of clutch goals and scoring the winner in the 2024 FA Cup final against Manchester City at Wembley.
Mainoo forced his way into Gareth Southgate's England plans just over a year after his breakthrough and started the Euro 2024 final against Spain.
Meanwhile, Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte regularly play alongside Fernandes but seldom positively contribute. Supporters may not be the only ones baffled.
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Yoro, primed for a mammoth campaign as a crucial centre-back, has struck up a close relationship with Mainoo since he arrived from Lille last summer.
The 19-year-old defender is among Amorim's host of talented starlets, a group that also includes Mainoo, Amad, Patrick Dorgu and now Benjamin Sesko.
United can't expect to retain a player of Yoro's sky-high potential if they continue to underperform on the pitch.
Shipping off an underutilised star of similar talent, who happens to be his closest friend in the dressing room, would equally risk uproar.