Andy Mitten has now dropped his telling verdict on the ongoing situation around Kobbie Mainoo at Old Trafford under Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim.
Kobbie Mainoo has currently been struggling to secure regular Manchester United first-team minutes at the Premier League club in the 2025-26 campaign.
THIS was Ruben Amorim and Kobbie Mainoo’s first meeting – November 12, 2024
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The 20-year-old Stockport-born talent has only managed nine Premier League appearances this season and Mainoo has not made a single start in the league.
Mainoo’s only appearance in the Red Devils’ starting XI came back in August in United’s shock penalty shootout defeat to Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup.
The United midfielder has made only sporadic cameos in the Premier League season so far and Mainoo has looked a shadow of his former self under Ruben Amorim.
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Kobbie Mainoo enters the pitch prior to the Premier League match between Manchester United and West Ham United at Old Trafford in 2025 in Manchester, England.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Andy Mitten reacts to what is happening to England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo at Man Utd
Kobbie Mainoo reportedly asked to leave Manchester United back in the summer on loan before the transfer window shut in order to secure regular first-team football.
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However, United turned down Mainoo’s request and the England star has remained at Old Trafford amid uncertainty around his future at the Premier League club.
Mainoo has been linked with a January exit from the Red Devils on loan, but Ruben Amorim has previously hinted that he could block a potential transfer departure.
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Manchester United attack a corner against West Ham
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Speaking on The Athletic’s Talk of the Devils podcast, Andy Mitten suggested that there are “so many conflicting messages” around Mainoo’s future at Old Trafford.
“I think it looks really bleak for him [Mainoo] because Manchester United’s priorities now are players in his position or roughly in his position,” he said.
“He’s got to play football. Clubs can be selfish in terms of stockpiling talent. And there’s so many conflicting messages here.”
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Andy Mitten has spotted one interesting detail about Man Utd fan-favourite Kobbie Mainoo
Mainoo watched on from the bench again after United manager Amorim snubbed the Red Devils talent for Thursday’s 1-1 draw against West Ham at Old Trafford.
The England international was an unused substitute and Amorim turned to Manuel Ugarte for the second half of the Premier League clash instead of Mainoo.
Mitten, who is the founder and editor of the United We Stand magazine, pointed out the popularity status of Mainoo among United fans after doing their live shows.
What is your MESSAGE to Ruben Amorim after the 1-1 draw vs West Ham?
“We had good moments and we lost a little bit of control after the goal. We should have closed the game when we scored the first one.”
Ruben Amorim
Manchester United v West Ham United - Premier League
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
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“United want their money on the pitch,” he added.
“That is definitely a feeling within the club. And he’s a very popular player.
“I was actually struck when we did those live shows just how popular he is.”
Mainoo is out of contract with United in 2027 and the Three Lions star faces the real threat of missing out on the England squad for the 2026 World Cup next summer.
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