Kobbie Mainoo is desperate to revive his career and force his way into the Manchester United team, but there are no clear answers.
Kobbie Mainoo‘s season has been a disaster for him, with the midfielder yet to start a Premier League game, 15 matches into the campaign.
Head coach Ruben Amorim has shown that he does not believe in Mainoo, with the midfielder often falling to fourth choice.
Mainoo has lost his place in the England squad, and is being heavily linked with a move away from the club in the January transfer window.
Part of the challenge for Mainoo is that this season, there is no obvious route into the team.
Kobbie Mainoo in action for Manchester United vs Wolves.
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
Push comes to shove: Would you rather have Kobbie Mainoo stay at Man Utd or Ruben Amorim?
Kobbie Mainoo and Ruben Amorim split
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Kobbie Mainoo dilemma has got tougher, thanks to his teammates
The performances that Manchester United’s players put in against Wolves have made Kobbie Mainoo’s task more difficult.
Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes are Manchester United’s top midfield pairing, and there is no disputing that right now.
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Fernandes leads the Premier League in assists, while Casemiro has been absolutely integral to the team’s best performances this season.
There is just no way for Mainoo to break into that midfield while the pair of them are playing like this.
The obvious solution is for Fernandes to play further forward, opening up a spot for Mainoo – but space there is limited.
Mason Mount and Bryan Mbeumo have earned their places, while Matheus Cunha is a player United invested heavily in, who will play a key role.
This is why Fernandes is playing where he is, and why Mainoo’s path to the first team has been blocked.
Benjamin Sesko’s imminent return from injury means the striker position will be filled, removing the need for either Mount, Mbeumo or Cunha to fill in up front.
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AFCON provides glimmer of hope
There is a potential opportunity for Kobbie Mainoo this coming month, once Bryan Mbeumo departs to the African Cup of Nations, along with Amad and Noussair Mazraoui.
Mbeumo’s absence could potentially mean Fernandes plays a more attacking role, freeing up a spot in midfield.
Even if it is just for one game, it will be an opportunity Mainoo has been waiting for.
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Another problem for Kobbie Mainoo, however, is that he is not the only midfielder competing for a rare spot.
Manuel Ugarte is in the mix, and when there was an opportunity earlier in the season, the Uruguayan was preferred.
With tough fixtures upcoming against Aston Villa and Newcastle, Ugarte could be viewed as a safer option.
While Amorim has admitted Ugarte has been struggling, he has a positive history with the midfielder from their time at Sporting.
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