Chelsea star Alejandro Garnacho has shown support for Kobbie Mainoo by liking Paul Scholes' Instagram post criticising the midfielder's limited game time under Ruben Amorim at Manchester United
Stephen Killen Senior Sports Content Creator
13:28, 06 Dec 2025
Alejandro Garnacho.
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Alejandro Garnacho showed support to one of his former Man United teammates.(Image: Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
Alejandro Garnacho has offered support to out-of-favour Manchester United talent Kobbie Mainoo after liking a social media post. The Argentinian, now of Chelsea, appeared to like a post referring to Paul Scholes' on his former teammate.
The United legend condemned the handling of the 20-year-old academy product which has seen the midfielder play a bit-part role. The lack of match action has led to speculation over an exit. Scholes highlighted recent transfer dealings at Old Trafford that have witnessed players like Scott McTominay flourish in Serie A with Napoli.
Mainoo's time in the cold continued as he remained on the bench throughout the stalemate with West Ham United on Thursday.
Scholes unleashed an expletive-laden rant on social media, insisting the midfielder is being "ruined".
He posted: "Bulls**** The kid is being ruined, not being played in a team that can't control a game of football!".
"Hate seeing home grown players leave but it's probably best for him now, enough is enough."
The message appeared on the Premier League champion's Instagram before being reshared by a United supporters' account moments later. It has since come to light that Garnacho endorsed the post.
Despite his £40million summer departure to Chelsea, he demonstrated solidarity with his former colleague.
The Portuguese manager has been compelled to justify his approach to United's youth system after failing to field a single academy graduate from the start in the Premier League this campaign.
Kobbie Mainoo of Manchester United during the Premier League match against Everton
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Kobbie Mainoo is yet to start a Premier League game for Manchester United this season(Image: Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
"I just want to win," Amorim declared.
"I don't look (at) who it is, I don't care about that, I'm just trying to put the best players on the pitch.
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"Of course I understand, and my job is to answer.
"But you always ask me the same thing. I understand what you are saying. You love Kobbie. He starts for England. But that doesn't mean that I need to put Kobbie [in] when I feel that I shouldn't put Kobbie [in]. It's my decision."
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Mainoo has clocked up 261 minutes for his childhood club, with his only start being in the Carabao Cup against Grimsby Town.
Rumours suggest that the midfielder is considering a loan move away from United during the January transfer window due to frustration over limited first-team opportunities.
The Athletic indicates that the club won't make a decision until after the Africa Cup of Nations, which kicks off this month and concludes on January 17. As it stands, United will lose three players - Amad, Bryan Mbeumo and Noussair Mazraoui - to the tournament in Morocco, with the deadline set for December 15.