Kobbie Mainoo: Man United star makes demand after Amorim is axed

Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo is demanding answers from the club in the wake of Ruben Amorim’s explosive departure this week, according to a new report.

Mainoo is set to be one of the biggest beneficiaries of INEOS’s decision to sack Amorim as the Portuguese coach had no place for the youngster in his team, despite this angering the United fanbase.

The 20-year-old midfielder was a poor fit in Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system, possessing neither the physicality to play in the double pivot nor the attacking threat to be an effective No 10. He was also in direct competition with Bruno Fernandes – the club’s captain and most influential player – for a spot in the starting XI, a fight with only one winner.

As a result, Mainoo has been relegated to the bench this season and is yet to start a Premier League match. He has even fallen below Manuel Ugarte in the pecking order, a player with half the talent of the English technician.

Amorim ‘s long-standing disregard for Mainoo had even led United to consider his departure last summer, with the club open to £40 million offers – a ridiculous valuation for such a talented youngster, but one which reflected INEOS’s steadfast support of the Portuguese coach. The Sun quotes a well-placed source, who reveals Mainoo’s “frustration” at losing his place in the team after a drastic shift in Amorim’s instructions.

“Kobbie was frustrated under Amorim because he felt like he broke into the first team and gained a lot of success playing one way,” the insider states. “Then suddenly Amorim started telling him he needed to play in a completely different way, which wasn’t to his strengths.”

Mainoo had asked to leave United on loan at the end of the summer transfer window. However, this request was rejected, as the club did not have sufficient time to source a replacement, despite links with Atletico Madrid and England midfielder Conor Gallagher.

The Stockport native was expected to push for this temporary exit again this month, with one eye on the World Cup this summer, having lost his place in Thomas Tuchel’s squad.

However, Amorim’s shock exit has redefined the landscape at Old Trafford, with under-18s coach Darren Fletcher taking temporary charge of the senior side, while INEOS search for a caretaker to appoint until the end of the season. Michael Carrick and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer are the two leading candidates, with Ruud van Nistelrooy also under consideration, while Fletcher remaining in place cannot be ruled out either.

All four, however, know, and like, Mainoo as a player and person – but, more crucially, each would implement a system which suits the youngster’s skillset, be it a 4-3-3 or a 4-2-3-1 formation. As such, he will remain at the club for the remainder of the campaign, with a January exit firmly ruled out.

Another subplot which was influencing United’s openness to Mainoo’s sale last summer was his contract situation.

The youngster’s current deal expires in 2027, though the club retains the right to automatically trigger a 12-month extension. His salary is worth around £25,000 a week – a fair amount for a youngster, but not for an England international who led United to an FA Cup triumph 18 months ago.

Negotiations over an extension “stalled at an early stage” – and Amorim freezing the midfielder out effectively ended any prospect of talks resuming. However, The Sun ‘s report reveals the Portuguese coach’s exit still does not guarantee Mainoo will now sign a new deal as he wants “assurances” over his place in the side.

“Mainoo was keen to leave United on loan but now wants talks to discuss his long-term future. He currently earns around £25,000-a-week but new contract negotiations stalled at an early stage and the club and the player remain at odds.

“The source said: ‘Amorim leaving definitely increases the chances of Kobbie staying at United. But it’s not a given. He wants assurances from officials about how they see him fitting into the squad and the first team.'”

United are expected to appoint a long-term replacement for Amorim this summer, when the pool of candidates for the hot seat will grow. The identity of this new coach will also be a major consideration in Mainoo’s decision – with Tuchel understood to be INEOS’s first-choice target.

Featured image George Wood via Getty Images

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