Ruben Amorim claps the fans after Man United's jaw-dropping 4-4 draw with Bournemouth.placeholder image
Ruben Amorim claps the fans after Man United's jaw-dropping 4-4 draw with Bournemouth. | Getty Images
Ruben Amorim hasn’t been giving Kobbie Mainoo the minutes that many feel he deserves.
It has been a strange year for Man United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, as he came into 2025, as one of the most talked about young midfielders in world football. He had been a regular fixture under Erik Ten Hag for Man United, and featured heavily during England’s Euro 2024 campaign.
However, the 20-year-old has not been getting regular game time under Ruben Amorim, and only often features on the bench, despite his very clear pedigree and talent to shine in the Premier League.
Man United’s Mainoo stance revealed
It had always been the case that Man United didn’t want to let Mainoo leave, despite him not getting much game time under Amorim. Sky Sports have now provided an update on Mainoo’s future, and it seems that is the case, unless the Red Devils receive an offer they can’t refuse.
The update says that Amorim and Man United will only consider selling Mainoo in January if they receive an “exceptional” offer. It says that they don’t want to sell him, and don’t really want to loan him out either, so an exit in January looks unlikely.
It adds that several Premier League clubs are interested in Mainoo, but due to United’s high valuation of him, only a few of them would be able to afford the asking price. The 20-year-old has made 11 Premier League appearances this season, but he is yet to start a game.
Man United previously wanted £70m for Mainoo, so based on the report, that could still be the case. It is a hefty asking price, especially when you consider that his market value at the moment is estimated to be around £40m.
Keane tells Mainoo to stay at United
Many believe that Mainoo is clearly unhappy with his minutes, and several pundits, including Paul Scholes, have spoken out, suggesting that he could leave Man United, as they are ruining his talent.
However, Roy Keane thinks that Mainoo should just wait his turn at Man United, and seeing as he is so young, he still has time to do that. He said on the Stick to Football Podcast: “Are you telling me he can't sit there for another six months? He might think the manager might be gone in the summer, one or two of the senior players might be gone.
"He's 20 years of age, what's wrong with sitting and learning your trade? And even if you're not getting a chance, we've all had to do it at different levels. Sometimes a manager is on your case and what you have to do is look at a manager and go 'I'll prove you wrong.”
Based on this most recent update, it seems that Keane is right, and Mainoo will have to stay and fight for his place at United.
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