The sister of Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo has appeared to deliver a thinly-veiled jab at the club's now-departed manager, Ruben Amorim. Ama Mainoo took to her Instagram story in the wake of the Portuguese coach's sacking on Monday morning, posting an image that seemed to capture the mood of some within the players' camp.
Family Frustrations Spill Onto Social Media
Ama Mainoo's post featured American rapper Yung Miami wearing a broad, knowing grin, a light-hearted but unmistakable reaction to the news of Amorim's exit. This public display of sentiment follows a season of growing tension surrounding the treatment of her younger brother, one of United's most promising academy graduates.
The 20-year-old Stockport-born midfielder had become a key figure for club and country under previous management. Mainoo scored the decisive goal in the 2024 FA Cup final victory over Manchester City and later started for England in the Euro 2024 final. However, his trajectory stalled dramatically following Amorim's appointment in October 2024.
A Slide Down the Pecking Order Under Amorim
Amorim's tactical preference for deploying captain Bruno Fernandes in a deeper midfield role effectively blocked Mainoo from his favoured position. The youngster failed to start a single Premier League game this season, a situation that has jeopardised his place in Thomas Tuchel's England squad ahead of the 2025 World Cup.
The lack of minutes prompted Mainoo to seek a January loan move, with Napoli reportedly leading the chase. England manager Tuchel had previously expressed sympathy, stating in August: 'Sometimes you can feel the pressure and changes in the club are not in your favour and he's lacking the minutes. I don't think he lacks anything else.'
This is not the first time the Mainoo family's discontent has become public. In December, Kobbie's half-brother, Jordan Mainoo-Hames, was pictured at Old Trafford wearing a 'Free Kobbie Mainoo' T-shirt. Amorim responded by criticising a culture of 'entitlement' among United's young players, though he stopped short of blaming Kobbie for his brother's actions.
A New Dawn Under Darren Fletcher?
Amorim had told Mainoo he was the 'future of Manchester United' and blocked a January loan exit, but then fate intervened. The midfielder subsequently suffered a calf injury, ruling him out of contention to replace the injured Bruno Fernandes and missing games including last month's defeat to Aston Villa.
With Under-18s coach Darren Fletcher now set to take temporary charge and expected to implement a 4-3-3 system, there is renewed hope that Mainoo's fortunes at Old Trafford could be about to change. The change in management may finally open the door for the talented youngster to reclaim his place and revive his stalling international prospects.
