Kobbie Mainoo is unhappy with his Manchester United roleplaceholder image
Kobbie Mainoo is unhappy with his Manchester United role | Manchester United via Getty Images
The Man Utd midfielder is unhappy with his reduced role under Ruben Amorim.
Ruben Amorim insists Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo will not be punished after his brother wore a controversial t-shirt that criticised his reduced role at the club.
Mainoo is unhappy with his lack of playing time this season and has yet to start a Premier League match during the current campaign. The 20-year-old requested to leave the club in the final days of the summer and is desperate to play regular football in an attempt to secure a place in the England World Cup squad.
The player's half-brother sparked controversy earlier in the week when he wore a 'Free Kobbie Mainoo' t-shirt during their 4-4 draw with AFC Bournemouth on Monday night. It is understood the midfielder was not aware of the publicity stunt, which club legend Roy Keane labelled 'stupid' amid Mainoo's fight for a first-team role.
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Amorim won’t take action against Mainoo
Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon, Ruben Amorim reiterated he would continue to select Kobbie Mainoo based on whenever he was the right player for the specific test. Manchester United will be without the suspended Casemiro when they face Aston Villa this weekend and it is unclear whether Mainoo will be selected to replace him in the defensive midfield role.
“No, it was not Kobbie that wore the t-shirt, he is not going to start because of the t-shirt or go to the bench because of it,” Amorim said. “He is going to play if he is the right player to play. I am not going to do something to Kobbie because someone in his family is doing something.”
It is understood Mainoo would be open to a potential loan exit next month, though United sources have stressed he will not be made available for transfer and is still a key part of their long-term future under Amorim.
When asked if he had spoken to the midfielder about his half-brother’s actions, he added: “No, and he played really well so that is the important thing. My office is always open and nobody went there this week.”
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