Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim continues to face questions about Kobbie Mainoo and his trust in the club’s academy.
Believing and trusting in youth is a pillar of Manchester United’s great success, and bringing through academy players is an expectation of every manager who takes charge at Old Trafford.
In Portugal, Ruben Amorim gave 27 debuts to youngsters at Sporting Lisbon, which gave Ineos confidence that his strong track record with academy players would continue in Manchester.
THIS was Ruben Amorim and Kobbie Mainoo’s first meeting – November 12, 2024
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However, Amorim’s treatment of Kobbie Mainoo this season is causing great concern across the fanbase. The 20-year-old has only played 171 minutes of Premier League football this season.
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Four Man United academy stars started vs Wolves last season
United face Wolves next in the Premier League, and the last meeting between the two sides saw United lose 1-0 to Wolves at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils found themselves in a unique position at the time, with Amorim’s full focus on reaching the Europa League final.
Just days before the Wolves match, Amorim said he was ready to ‘risk’ academy players in the Premier League, and he stuck to his word.
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THIS is how Manchester United lined up to face Wolves in their last meeting…
Ruben Amorim named four academy graduates as starters as Man United lost 1-0 to Wolves at Old Trafford
Man United's line-up to faces Wolves in the 2024/25 season.
Man United’s line-up to faces Wolves in the 2024/25 season.
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In the defeat to Wolves, four academy graduates started at Old Trafford, including a debut for Tyler Fredricson. Harry Amass, Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho also started the match.
Academy starlet Chido Obi also came off the bench, giving United a spine of young talent.
Kobbie Mainoo’s hope at Man Utd is dwindling
From the four academy players who started against Wolves, only Mainoo has a realistic chance of starting on Monday evening, but even his hope is dwindling.
Amass is starring on loan at Sheffield Wednesday, Garnacho was sold in the summer to Chelsea and Fredricson has not even featured in a matchday squad since September.
Mainoo is being impacted by his game time, with the young midfielder left scratching his head at what he must do to get into Amorim’s line-up.
READ MORE: Man Utd insider gives Kobbie Mainoo training verdict, ‘I don’t get the sense…’
It is a sad situation for one of the brightest prospects to emerge from United’s youth system in the past decade.
With reports that Mainoo is open to leaving in January, Amorim’s treatment of the young midfielder could end up costing United his future.
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