Kobbie Mainoo has become the biggest story surrounding Manchester United after Ruben Amorim gave him zero minutes in the league games, and Fabrizio Romano has the latest.
What started as a routine tactical choice against Arsenal turned into a befuddling move against Fulham when Ruben Amorim refused to sub on Kobbie Mainoo.
“Competing with Bruno Fernandes”, Amorim said after the game, an argument that holds no weight since Fernandes was going through one of his worst games for the club.
Mainoo still remained glued to the bench as Amorim used all five subs, leading to reports that he’s looking to leave. Fabrizio Romano has the latest on his future as Man Utd take a key step.
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Kobbie Mainoo latest at Man Utd
Man Utd fans have stood by Amorim unequivocally over every big call he has taken so far at Old Trafford, because they were all backed by solid reason.
The same can’t be said for Mainoo, who has proven his abilities in multiple systems under multiple managers and has remained a model professional.
There are no mitigating factors to explain Amorim’s snubbing of Mainoo, and it’s a situation Man Utd need to draw a line for with Amorim to avoid a disaster scenario of Mainoo leaving Utd.
As per Fabrizio Romano, speaking on his YouTube channel, Mainoo will be sitting with Man Utd in the coming days as the club prepare to take control of his future.
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He said: “Kobbie Mainoo is not happy to sit on the bench and play zero minutes. But I can guarantee that there are no negotiations, no bids, and no active talks for him to leave Man Utd.
“The player is disappointed. It’s not an easy situation to handle. Man Utd still hope to control the situation. They hope to speak to Mainoo, to explain to him the situation around him.
“Let’s wait for the next steps, but for now, the situation is quite calm around Mainoo.”
Ineos’ leadership has its first big test
The lack of movement around Mainoo’s transfer is an expected update, since a move of that magnitude doesn’t materialise this late in the window.
It’s also been just two games, so it’s understandable that frustration has not grown into something untenable.
However, what’s interesting is the latter part, where Romano specifically says that United hope to speak to Mainoo and clarify the situation.
It hints at the board taking a clear stance of mediation between Amorim and Mainoo, instead of backing the manager blindly.
That will be the first big test of Ineos’ leadership, because they’ve been aligned with Amorim on most decisions at Old Trafford up to this point.
Mainoo’s case is where they simply have to draw the line and ensure Amorim makes it work, because they can’t afford to lose the player.
It’s not player power winning over the manager. It’s what responsible clubs who have a clear long-term vision do to protect themselves from the whims and fancies of a manager who might not be here as long as the player could be.