Paul Scholes is frustrated by Kobbie Mainoo’s lack of game time at Manchester United this season, admitting it ‘winds’ him up that the talented midfielder is playing a bit part role under Ruben Amorim.
Manchester United didn’t sign a single midfielder in the summer, despite losing Christian Eriksen upon the expiry of his contract at the end of the 2024/25 campaign.
Furthermore, the two starters in the middle of the pitch this season are in their 30s, with doubts surrounding the long-term futures of Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro.
Manuel Ugarte has been unable to prove that he can replace Casemiro in the team, while Kobbie Mainoo is struggling to get into the team after requesting a loan move in the summer.
Ruben Amorim has been criticised for overlooking Mainoo, especially in matches where United found themselves chasing a result and lacking intensity.
This has led Mainoo to appear dejected at times, as it means he’ll likely miss out on a place in England’s World Cup squad next summer.
Paul Scholes glaring to the side.
Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
Paul Scholes deletes post about Kobbie Mainoo from Instagram
Mainoo’s lack of minutes this season has been a hot topic of conversation.
Even though the United academy graduate can’t get into the team, the Red Devils are being linked with a list of midfielders.
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One target includes Adam Wharton, who is now making a name for himself in the England team.
Scholes recently shared a fiery post on Instagram about Mainoo, which was later removed from his account. The former United midfielder explains on a new podcast with ex-teammate Nicky Butt why he decided to take it down.
“It’s none of my business, why am I getting involved, but things like that wind me up,” Scholes said on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast this week.
Butt replied: “The Kobbie one is an absolute joke.”
Scholes added: “I wouldn’t mind if it was a good team.
“You know what’ll happen now, he’ll bring him into a game, and he won’t be great. Because he needs five, six, seven, eight games.
“He’ll throw him into the team and say ‘I told you so’.”
Butt went on to refer to Scott McTominay, adding: “He’ll be another one, homegrown who will leave the club and be a superstar somewhere else.”
What are your views on Ruben Amorim not bringing Shea Lacey on vs Wolves?
Was it not the perfect time to give Lacey his debut at 4-1 up with 10 minutes to go?!
Shea Lacey during warm-up for Manchester United.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
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Kobbie Mainoo stats against Wolves
Mainoo got 12 more minutes under his belt on Monday night as United beat Wolves 4-1 at Molineux.
He made 15 passes with a 93% success rate, allowing United to keep possession of the ball in the latter stages of the game with 18 touches of the ball.
Mainoo was dispossessed once and he was fouled twice.
Unfortunately for Mainoo, he won’t feel like he had enough time on the pitch to stake a claim for a starting role against Bournemouth. Amorim appears to be settled on Fernandes and Casemiro.
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