Kobbie Mainoo did make it off the bench in Manchester United's comfortable win at Wolves on Monday night, but he has largely continued to find game time hard to come by under Ruben Amorim
Ruben Amorim, Manager of Manchester United pointing on the side line during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Manchester United at City Ground on November 1, 2025 in Nottingham, England.
Ruben Amorim isn't afraid to criticise his players(Image: Neal Simpson/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
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Manchester United talent Kobbie Mainoo has continued to find game time hard to come by under Ruben Amorim. With the January transfer window looming, there could be an opportunity to explore a loan move to regain some momentum in his career.
Some fans in the Manchester Evening News comments section say that Amorim should be doing more to continue the club's proud tradition of promoting and playing their academy stars to prevent this situation.
Mainoo has clocked up just 183 Premier League minutes so far this season, with Amorim preferring the duo of Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro as his deeper midfielders. Mainoo did make it off the bench at Wolves on Monday night, playing the final 12 minutes in the 4-1 victory.
But with no European football and an early exit from the Carabao Cup, it's difficult to see where the real opportunities will come from for Mainoo to get any sustained time on the pitch - which will do his bid for inclusion in the England World Cup squad no good.
Speaking at his press conference before the trip to Wolves on Monday night, Amorim was dismissive about calls to boost Mainoo's involvement in the squad. He said: “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], so it's my decision.”
Kobbie Mainoo did feature against Wolves
Kobbie Mainoo did feature against Wolves
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Some fans say that Amorim has the option to turn to his young players in the pursuit of better results, if he would only take them. Reader Allumjoe says: "The team continues to be inconsistent results-wise and performance-wise. Now only two wins from the last 6 games, and the same excuses trotted out. It is a shame the manager refuses to use our better young players..."
Commenter Red Banana writes: "Can't decide which is more annoying - his treatment of Mainoo, his substitutions, or his mind-numbing tactics."
IlSacristano says: "A tragic waste of talent. Like a lot of the Academy youngsters. And when things go wrong on the pitch Amorim needs to look at himself before blaming his players."
Billbiggins adds: "I have said for months, if they don't play Mainoo, then they should sell Mainoo. They are ruining a good player."
PlymBob says: "I do get annoyed when I see comments about Mainoo's performances when he gets to play for a few minutes now and again. How can he be expected to show his ability with so little time on the pitch?"
Others say that Mainoo isn't the answer to the issues at United. FrankM16 says: "If he was winning nobody would care. Amorim has had more than enough time to do his thing and his thing is to be a loser. It really annoys me to see Villa and Sunderland and Palace and more befar better than us in every way, from the way the clubs are run to their scouting and their play. We are very poor at every level. Mainoo is just another player."
Taffyj writes: "The situation comes down to do you create a team and system to suit your squad and its best players, or do you stick with a system and ditch players who can't force their way into it?"
Moin-star says: "I don’t even remember how Mainoo even plays, but come on… the times he did play, he has been poor. Granted he needs a run of games… but surely he’s not doing enough in training for him to get a look in on match days?"
Using the comments section below, tell us if you think Kobbie Mainoo has a future at Manchester United.