Manchester United's inconsistencies continue to have a negative impact on the club, as concerns grow around the future of Kobbie Mainoo under Ruben Amorim
Kobbie Mainoo of Manchester United arrives ahead of the Premier League match between Manchester United and Burnley at Old Trafford
Paul Parker has sympathised with Kobbie Mainoo, whom he said "must be furious" with Ruben Amorim
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Any concerns regarding Kobbie Mainoo's future at Manchester United were only exacerbated following a disappointing draw against West Ham. The academy gem was an unused substitute for the fourth time this season as the Hammers struck late to take a point from Old Trafford on Thursday.
Still waiting on his first Premier League start of the campaign, Mainoo continues to be all but frozen out Ruben Amorim. And one former United star has empathised with the youngster, suggesting he "must be furious" with his manager for how he's being treated.
And that's not all there is to be upset about around Old Trafford after one coach showed his frustrations following West Ham's equalizer. Mirror Football looks into the latest rumblings around United ahead of the club's trip to Wolves on Monday.
Mainoo 'must be feeling horrible' under Amorim
Another day, another United fixture in which Mainoo has watched largely as a spectator. And despite this being the kind of tetchy game in which the 20-year-old's composure on the ball could have been put to great use, he instead could only look on as his team dropped more valuable points.
Once hailed as the brightest talent to emerge from United's youth ranks in some years, Mainoo appears almost written off by his manager. Murmurs have touted the midfielder for the exit for some time, with Napoli still being linked with a move for his signature next year.
Ex-United defender Paul Parker could only sympathise with the player following his latest no-show. And the two-time Premier League champion could only theorise his relationship with Amorim must be at an all-time low as his chances of making the 2026 World Cup wilt away.
"I don’t think he is leaving because I don’t think the club can afford to let him go, but if he never gets minutes, he has to leave for his own sake," Parker told MyBettingSites. "He must be feeling horrible at the moment, because he knows the manager has taken away his opportunity to go to the World Cup. He must be furious at Amorim. He has to be. There is no chance of him going, and his name won’t even be mentioned.
"It would be a very bad story for the club if he were to leave. Just look at [Scott] McTominay. I don’t think he would have made a massive difference at Man United at this moment in time, but you can’t have another one of those stories coming out. It would be terrible if Mainoo leaves and all of a sudden does very well, because then everyone will question Amorim and the club.
"He is a player and a person I hope the best for. He is a wonderful young lad, and his talent is immense. He is one of the best products that have come out of Man United for many years, so they have to find a way for him to get into the team and perform."
Furious reaction to West Ham goal
That wasn't the only factor in the West Ham draw that drew a "furious" reaction. That's how set-piece coach Carlos Fernandes was described after Soungoutou Magassa levelled from a late corner at the Theatre of Dreams.
The Frenchman showed the sharpest reactions to convert a bobbling ball into the back of United's net in the 83rd minute on Thursday. And Fernandes' response summed up his emotions as he stormed back to his seat in angry fashion.
Assistant Head Coach Carlos Fernandes of Manchester United in action during a first team training session at Carrington Training Ground
United set-piece coach Carlos Fernandes (left) was livid with West Ham's equaliser at Old Trafford
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Fernandes usually gets up from the dugout to take a closer look at set pieces, both in attack and defence. However, Magassa's late strike may have made him wish he hadn't bothered getting a better angle on this occasion.
The hosts looked lethargic in responding as the ball bounced dangerously around the box in the build-up to Magassa's goal. And the end result was United missing their opportunity to move into the Premier League's top six following two more dropped points.
The fruit of Fernandes' labour is evident in the fact United have drastically improved their threat from dead-ball situations this season. However, West Ham's goal at Old Trafford served as proof there's still work to be done defending those same scenarios.
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