Kobbie Mainoo has broken his silence on the treatment he received under former Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim, which cast doubt over his future at Old Trafford. The 21-year-old midfielder found himself regularly overlooked by the Portuguese boss, but he always maintained confidence that his fortunes would change, a prediction that came true after Amorim was sacked in January.
Mainoo's rise and fall under Amorim
Mainoo enjoyed a meteoric rise under Erik ten Hag, scoring in an FA Cup final and representing England at the European Championship within 12 months of his debut. However, his progress stalled when Amorim arrived. The Portuguese coach used the academy graduate sporadically, often leaving him on the bench. Amorim claimed he rated Mainoo but insisted the midfielder was only suited to the role played by Bruno Fernandes, United's talisman and captain, in his system. This limitation drastically reduced Mainoo's minutes and opportunities.
The situation led to speculation about a move away for the homegrown talent, who would have represented pure profit given his academy background. But Mainoo remained at the club and insists he always believed his chance would come again.
Patience and perspective
Speaking to Sky Sports, Mainoo said: "When there's new managers, they have their way that they want to play and if they think you don't fit that, then you don't fit that." He added: "Going from playing nearly every game to not playing as often is always going to be a difficult adjustment. It was good for me in terms of learning about myself, the game, and patience."
"It's difficult when you don't even come on as a sub, of course," he continued. "But I'd say my family and my friends helped me see the light at the end of the tunnel. They knew it would swing back my way at some point, so I just had to be patient."
Carrick's impact
Amorim was dismissed in January after months of poor results. His stubborn adherence to a system that only accommodated two midfielders ultimately cost him his job. Michael Carrick, who took over as interim manager, reverted to a more conventional formation with three midfielders, one of whom has been Mainoo. The 21-year-old has since signed a new contract and has been revitalised under Carrick's stewardship.
Amorim had previously defended his selection decisions, stating: "I understand what you are saying. You love Kobbie, he starts for England. But that doesn't mean that I need to put Kobbie in when I feel that I shouldn't put Kobbie in, so it's my decision."
Mainoo's resurgence under Carrick has been notable, with the midfielder now a regular starter again. His patience and faith in his own ability have paid off, and he is once again a key figure in Manchester United's midfield.
