Kobbie Mainoo’s future at Manchester United has been the subject of speculation ahead of the January transfer window.
Kobbie Mainoo has appeared to react to comments made by Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim after the midfielder became a hot-topic of debate during one of his press conferences.
Mainoo, 20, has struggled for regular game-time under Amorim’s leadership this term, featuring in just 10 matches across all competitions. However, the England player is yet to be handed a start by Amorim in the Premier League, with his only start coming in the Carabao Cup defeat to Grimsby Town back in September.
Thursday night saw Mainoo left on the substitute’s bench for their 1-1 draw with West Ham in the Premier League. In total, the midfielder has played just 33 minutes in the last five top-flight matches for United, and he’s not played more than 45 minutes in one match all season in the Premier League.
Mainoo has been linked with a move away from United in recent weeks, with speculation that a loan deal may be on the cards when the January transfer window opens. A report in The Athletic claimed that Mainoo himself would be willing to leave United on loan in the New Year.
A post by Sportbible via Instagram then showed quotes from Amorim’s press conference, where the United head coach asked reporters which player would be more offensive-minded to bring into the game against West Ham. In turn, a reporter replied with Mainoo – with the post stating that Amorim laughed after the response.
The post, which included the quotes in a graphic, was ‘liked’ by Mainoo’s official account.
Amorim was questioned about the midfielder during his a pre-match press conference. United’s manager became frustrated at being forced to explain his team selection decisions once again.
“Of course, I understand [why you ask], and my job is to answer it, but I’m trying to answer always the same thing, and you ask me always the same thing,” Amorim said.
“I understand what you’re 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.”
Amorim was also asked about the reason behind his team selection decisions, hinting at why it’s difficult to earn a place in the United midfield.
“I see it. I just want to win, I try to put the players, I don’t look who it is, I don’t care about that, so I’m just trying to put the best players on the pitch,” he went on.
“You have [Manuel] Ugarte that has played two games. One of them, Case[miro], was out, Bruno [Fernandes], he’s always fit, he’s the guy that is doing his position, so maybe it has to do with that.”
United will face Wolves in the Monday Night Football in their next Premier League fixture, where it remains to be seen if Mainoo will get any minutes in that impending clash at Molineux.
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