A dramatic protest by a reality TV star has thrown the spotlight back onto Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo and his lack of game time this season.
Old Trafford Protest Goes Viral
During Manchester United's chaotic 4-4 draw with Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Monday night, a familiar face in the stands made headlines. Kobbie Mainoo's half-brother, Jordan Mainoo-Hames, braved the December chill to showcase a stark message. He wore a plain black T-shirt emblazoned with the three-word plea: 'Free Kobbie Mainoo'.
The stunt did not go unnoticed. After the match, Jordan amplified the message by sharing a photo of his outfit with his substantial following of 680,000 Instagram followers. The act has been widely interpreted as a direct, public challenge to United's manager, Ruben Amorim, regarding the 20-year-old midfielder's peripheral role this campaign.
From Love Island Villa to Luxury Property
Many will recognise Jordan from his time in the public eye. He first found fame as a 'bombshell' contestant on the 2019 series of Love Island, where he was known as Jordan Hames. Since his stint in the villa, he has professionally adopted the surname Mainoo-Hames.
His career has flourished in the worlds of fashion and business. Jordan has modelled for elite brands including Louis Vuitton and Vogue and has successfully pivoted into luxury property development and renovations across Manchester.
Brotherly Support or Unnecessary Drama?
While Jordan has always been a vocal supporter of his younger brother—a decade his junior—this latest intervention has split the United fanbase. Some applaud the bold advocacy, while others fear it creates 'unnecessary drama' for the young player at a sensitive time.
Jordan frequently uses his platform to document his life, often emphasising his desire to help his younger brothers handle fame better than he did post-Love Island. He previously celebrated a 'proud big bro moment' when Kobbie made his Manchester United U18s debut in February 2021.
The 'Free Kobbie' message underscores growing frustrations. Mainoo is yet to start a Premier League game under Amorim this season, despite a promising cameo in the second half against Bournemouth. This has fuelled persistent rumours of a potential January transfer, with clubs like Napoli said to be monitoring the situation.
In response, manager Ruben Amorim has remained diplomatic, stating he is 'completely open' to discussions with the player but maintains that the team's needs are paramount. While he hasn't addressed the T-shirt directly, Jordan Mainoo-Hames's very public stunt has guaranteed that Kobbie Mainoo's future remains the dominant topic of conversation at Old Trafford.
