If one were to make a list of Ruben Amorim’s mistakes at Man Utd, just one article won’t be enough, but what if he made a mistake that’s bigger than ignoring Kobbie Mainoo?
Many Man Utd fans think that not playing Kobbie Mainoo will ultimately come to define Ruben Amorim’s failure at Old Trafford.
That is true to an extent, lent further credence by the player playing out of his skin since Amorim’s sacking, but at least he only wanted to leave on loan under Amorim.
Is Ruben Amorim not playing Kobbie Mainoo the worst decision you can remember from a recent Man Utd manager?
Seedorf/Mainoo
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A bigger mistake by the former Man Utd manager is when he made his teammate untouchable, a decision that looks worse with every emerging update on his future.
Mason Mount of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Newcastle United at Old Trafford on December 26, 2025
Photo by Molly Darlington/Copa/Getty Images
Ruben Amorim’s Kobbie Mainoo decision benefited Mason Mount
From the very first day Amorim arrived through the doors of Carrington, it was clear that he had taken a liking to Mason Mount.
He praised the English midfielder endlessly, working out a variety of roles for the player in a system where he found none for Mainoo.
Mount, to nobody’s surprise, was not fit when Amorim arrived, but it became the theme at United that he played whenever he was.
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If he managed to extend his fitness streak for more than a game or two, he became the undisputed first-choice in the team alongside the likes of Bruno Fernandes.
Considering Amorim thought Mainoo played better closer to the goal, but refused to play him, it’s clear that he made a choice between Mainoo and Mount, and the winner didn’t come as a surprise to anybody.
Mainoo was frozen out, and Mount, for all his injury worries, became untouchable under Amorim.
Since Mainoo wanted to leave only on loan, relying that much on Mount is the bigger error on Amorim’s part.
Amorim’s preference for Mount ageing as another error
Mount is yet to start a game for Michael Carrick, as he has gone back to the basics and actually plays players in their best positions.
How worried are you about Matthijs de Ligt and Mason Mount’s injury battles?
Matthijs de Ligt and Mason Mount split
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That leaves Mainoo as the ideal candidate for a deeper role, and Bruno Fernandes as the creator-in-chief.
Predictably, Mount is injured again, missing the game against Fulham with a “knock”, which looks set to extend for the Spurs game as well.
As unfortunate as that is, it’s becoming crystal clear that Mount is just not a player whom any manager can rely upon, let alone preferred over a potential star midfielder like Mainoo.
United were willing to sell Mainoo for £40m in the summer to back Amorim. Imagine if they had extended Mount’s contract or refused offers for him when he was in charge.
Not only would they likely lose Mainoo permanently, but they’d be stuck with the massive wages of Mount, who is a jack of all trades at best, and rarely available to do those trades at worst.
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