The new Turkish head of Manchester United. This season, Kobbie Mainoo inherited a new role that he would have done well without. Indeed, the 20-year-old Englishman seems to be the new pariah among the Red Devils. Supported by the supporters, he is not really appreciated by his trainer Ruben Amorim. A difficult situation for Mainoo, but one that has seen other Mancunians go through it before him. Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho did not get along at all with Erik ten Hag, who was finally sacked a little over a year ago. We cannot say either that it was the great love between Marcus Rashford, who was loaned to Aston Villa then to FC Barcelona and Ruben Amorim. Ditto for Antony, who lives again at BĂ©tis, or Alejandro Garnacho (Chelsea), both happy far from the Portuguese coach.
Mainoo is glued to the bench
This season, Mainoo joined this circle which is far from popular. A substitute in the mind of his coach, he only participated in 11 matches in all competitions this season (273 minutes played) for only one start. It was on August 27 during the defeat against Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup. He had participated in the entire meeting, having delivered a decisive pass. For the rest, he is a substitute in the Premier League, sometimes coming into play (10 appearances) and sometimes remaining stuck on the sidelines (4 times, 1 match missed due to injury). This should again be the case this evening against Bournemouth on the 16th day of the English Championship. The English press announces that he will not be in the starting lineup.
For the Stockport native, the cup is more than full. THE Manchester Evening News reveals that the footballer wants to play regularly and continue his progression at the highest level. This was already the case last season, where he played 37 matches including 22 as a starter. But he played less after a muscle injury. For this reason, he asked to leave MU in the form of a loan during the last summer transfer window. But the Red Devils did not grant his request. Since then, his situation has continued to get worse and discomfort has set in between the player and Ruben Amorim. A technician who became annoyed several times regarding his management of the Mainoo case. This was the case on December 4 after the draw (1-1) against West Ham.
A thorn in Amorim’s side
Journalists asked him if he thought his player could become demotivated after another meeting spent on the bench. He replied rather curtly: “I see it. I just want to win. I try to play the best players, whoever it is, I don’t care. I just try to field the best on the field. You have Ugarte who played two matches. One of them, Casemiro, was absent, Bruno Fernandes is still in good shape. He’s the one in his position, so maybe that has something to do with it (laughs). I understand what you are saying. You love Kobbie, he is a starter for the England team. But that doesn’t mean I have to play him if I think I shouldn’t, so it’s my decision. »
An outing which was singled out by certain MU fans in England, who did not appreciate his laughter during this response, but also by Mainoo, who liked a publication Instagram from an English media which had shared Amorim’s statements with a “surprised” emoji. The player then removed his like to avoid a controversy. This is the only time he reacted publicly to his situation this season, he who walled himself in his silence. But we imagine that he has a lot on his plate, even though he does everything to play. THE MEN indicates that he works with private coaches during the international breaks and that he has hired the services of a new cook so that his shadow work pays off. But Amorim ignores it according to the MEN. The coach has another version. He assures that the player never came to him to complain.
The middle wants to leave
This is what he explained yesterday at a press conference, on the eve of facing the Cherries. “Not about that.” I had a few conversations with him, especially last year, and with other players, but on this subject, no, I didn’t speak with him. The team comes first and if Kobbie comes to talk to me, I’ll talk to him. I won’t tell Kobbie what I’m going to tell, but I’ll be really happy if he comes and talks to me about it. I just want my players to be happy and I understand that everyone has their goals. I’m completely open, I think that’s clear. I won’t change if I don’t believe in it, but I’m open to talking to any player. I love it. » But the link seems broken with his player.
THE Telegraph indicates that the 20-year-old Englishman feels excluded by his coach. The English publication adds that the footballer, exasperated, has made his decision and wants to leave this winter in order to play. All this puts MU in an embarrassment. Indeed, the Mainoo case is thorny, because he is very appreciated by the supporters, he who was trained at the club. Some leaders are also not very comfortable with the situation of the Englishman, whose departure could hurt. But Amorim has the hand, he who did not hesitate to part ways with Rashford or even Garnacho, who started younger at the club. Regarding Mainoo, he clarified that he is still part of his plans, but that he plays less, because he uses two midfielders, namely Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro.
Fans disagree about his possible departure
“The problem is we play with two midfielders and you see Kobbie differently from me. Maybe if you play with three midfielders, not just two, Kobbie will get more minutes. Imagine this happens, someone in front is going to lose their place. Sometimes it’s just time. But again, I think I’ve proven that I can be changed my mind because Casemiro is, I think, the biggest example of that. He was behind Toby Collyer in the pecking order and now he’s a star. The door is open to any player to change my mind. But in the end, it will be the training and the matches that will decide. Sure, he doesn’t play that many games, but Kobbie has had opportunities, especially last year. »
English international (10 caps), the player born in 2005 must convince his coach. For others, like Paul Scholes, Amorim ” ruin “ Mainoo. This is what he declared recently before adding that he was “disconcerting that a player with such technical quality cannot join a team that “doesn’t even control a match”. An opinion which is also that of many fans, who stand behind Mainoo. Suffice it to say that a departure would be a bad experience. Besides, The Telegraph assures that a dozen clubs, or even more, are already ready to recruit him during the month of January. Among them is Naples. Spanish clubs were also cited. The ball is in Ruben Amorim’s court, who is playing big with the Mainoo case. Fans and members of the club are against his departure.
