Kobbie Mainoo is yet to start a Premier League game under Ruben Amorim this season but he's been tipped to outlast his manager at Manchester United
Joleon Lescott speaks on In The Mixer
Joleon Lescott has worked with Kobbie Mainoo for England
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Kobbie Mainoo will outlast Ruben Amorim at Manchester United says Joleon Lescott. The 20-year-old hasn't started a Premier League match this season.
Mainoo broke swiftly onto the scene at Old Trafford and within a few years of his debut he had scored an FA Cup-winning goal and become a mainstay in England's midfield at Euro 2024.
But since Erik ten Hag left the club, Mainoo has struggled to fit into new boss Amorim's side. With Bruno Fernandes occupying the midfield role Mainoo is perhaps suited to, he has been limited to substitute appearances and requested a loan this summer.
Mainoo continues to be linked with a move away from the club and Lescott, who worked with him for the Three Lions as a coach, thinks that he should be granted playing time away as he has a future at the club, unlike manager Amorim.
"I've worked with Kobbie. He's a very mature and impressive person," said Lescott, speaking on In The Mixer, brought to you by Sky Bet.
"But if I'm the club, I'm saying, 'We're giving you a new deal and go and play.' Go somewhere else and play because the future is Kobbie Mainoo. It's not Amorim is it?
Kobbie Mainoo comes on during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Bournemouth at Old Trafford
Mainoo has been limited to the bench in the Premier League
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"You'd like to think he's going to be at Man United longer than the manager. So the club should step in and dictate how this plays out rather than just let the manager create a scenario where Kobbie is like: 'I'm not signing, I don't want to sign, I don't want to be here.'
"Because then you've lost the player of that ilk. I do really think that if the club steps in and controls this situation then it can still be manageable.
"You have the manager that might not be there in a year's time and then you've lost an asset. I'm not saying Amorim has to play him, but he's coming to the end of his contract. So in like 18 months' time or 12 months' time he's free."
Mainoo featured in United's 4-4 draw and received praise for his performance. His only start this season has come in the disappointing Carabao Cup loss to Grimsby Town.
The 20-year-old's brother was also at the game, sporting a t-shirt that read "Free Kobbie Mainoo." Lescott feels like head coach Amorim is not managing the situation with Mainoo correctly.
He continued: "Amorim is just managing this wrongly. Mainoo doesn't need to play every week but the scenario can be managed better and I think the club have to be involved in this process."
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