Kobbie Mainoo's future at Manchester United has been the subject of much debate in recent months but Roy Keane did not mess about when giving his take on the situation
Roy Keane
Roy Keane has urged Kobbie Mainoo to fight for his place at Manchester United
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Roy Keane has urged Kobbie Mainoo to fight for his place in the Manchester United squad rather than seeking a move away. The United legend also tore in the midfielder's brother, labelling him an 'idiot' for wearing a 'free Mainoo' shirt at Old Trafford.
Questions over Mainoo's future at United have persisted since the summer, with speculation only ramping up amid a lack of minutes under boss Ruben Amorim.
The England international requested a loan move towards the end of the transfer window, but the club refused to let him go. Mainoo has featured in just 11 Premier League matches under Amorim this season, every single one as a substitute.
His sole start this campaign came in the EFL Cup loss to League Two outfit Grimsby Town back in August. Earlier this week, Mainoo's half-brother, Jordan Mainoo-Hames, caused a stir by sporting a 'free Kobbie Mainoo' T-shirt during the dramatic 4-4 draw with AFC Bournemouth.
Mainoo entered the fray with less than half an hour remaining, marking his third-longest appearance in the league this term, in a pulsating encounter at Old Trafford. Mainoo-Hames shared the photo on his Instagram account, prompting fresh questions about the midfielder's future and mindset.
Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, Keane branded the gesture idiotic and called on Mainoo to graft his way into the team and prove Amorim wrong, reports the Manchester Evening News. "Are you telling me that he can't sit there for another six months?," he said.
"He might think the manager's on his way out in the summer," Keane said. "He's 20 years of age, what's wrong with sitting and learning your trade? And even if he's not getting a chance, we've all had to do it.
"Sometimes a manager is on your case and what you have to do is prove them wrong. Jamie made a point that he never felt like a regular at Liverpool, I never felt like that at United. Every day is your chance to prove yourself to the manager and when the manager is picking his team, [he goes] 'he has to play'. He's got to get that in his mindset.
"And when he's got his idiot of a brother doing all that... we shouldn't even be giving that kind of stuff the time of day. Sometimes you're just surrounded by idiots, especially the families."
Kobbie Mainoo on the pitch after Manchester United's 4-4 draw with Bournemouth
Mainoo has fallen out of favour with Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford
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Keane went on to discuss Mainoo's prospects at United: "What's football about? The life of a footballer is about trying to prove people wrong. There was chat about Bruno [Fernandes] leaving the summer, he might leave next summer. Bide your time.
"I have no problem players going out on loan, it can work for everybody, but sometimes as a player, your biggest challenge is here at Man United and getting into that first-team. Even if the manager is saying 'you're not going to get in over Bruno', prove them wrong!".
Despite all the speculation surrounding Mainoo, Amorim has declined to confirm whether a loan move would be approved. "I had some conversations with him, especially last year, and with other players, but about that subject, no, I didn't speak with him," he said.
"I will be really pleased if Kobbie comes to talk to me about that. I just want my players happy. I understand every individual has their goals and the frustration doesn't help anybody. I'm not going to say what I would say but I would talk to him.
"I am completely open, that is clear. I have my ideas and that is also clear. I will not change if I don't believe it but I'm open to speak with any player. I love that."
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