Manchester United star Kobbie Mainoo had a very poor relationship with ex-managed Ruben Amorim, and now Gary Lineker has told the youngster to 'sue' his former boss
10:50, 10 Feb 2026Updated 10:53, 10 Feb 2026
The relationship was non-existant
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The relationship was non-existant(Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)
England legend Gary Lineker has told want-away Manchester United star Kobbie Mainoo to sue his ex manager. For the majority of this season, former manager Ruben Amorim refused to play Mainoo at all.
But when the Portuguese native was booted out of the club, the former Cheadle and Gatley FC player was reinstated back into the first team and has been a standout performer over the last four games – after his brother wore a “Free Kobbie” t-shirt.
However, for many, it appears as though the damage has been done and now Mainoo could miss out on the World Cup taking place in the United States this summer.
He's mouthed off again
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He's mouthed off again(Image: The FA via Getty Images)
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And this, the ex-Barcelona and Tottenham star states, is a reason why Mainoo could and should take legal action against Amorim.
He said, during a chat with Arsenal legend Ian Wright on his The Rest Is Football podcast: “You know what? If I were Kobbie Mainoo, and I'm kidding, I'd be thinking about whether I should sue [Amorim] or not.
“He's taken a year off this guy's career. This guy is a great player. He makes it look so easy. He looks for the ball, he takes it with everyone around him and comes back, he always makes the right decisions, he's classy.
“Come on now! It's been absolutely detrimental to his career. I say this (to sue Amorim) in jest, of course, but it's very strange that he didn't see how good this young man is.
'Come on now'
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'Come on now'(Image: Getty Images for the NTA's)
“I thought: 'Has something happened? Has he become arrogant?' But he's back and he's exactly who he was before, who, if you think about it, was probably England's best player at the European Championship.”
Lineker went on to claim that if Mainoo retains his run of form for the rest of the season then he could end up in the World Cup squad, but he wasn't confident of England manager Thomas Tuchel making the call to him.
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In the last four games – all wins for United – he has racked up a 7.2, 6.9, 7.7 and 9.2 out of 10 rating on Stat Muse, playing more minutes in those games than he has all season, as well as bringing in two assists.
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