Kobbie Mainoo struggled for game time at Manchester United under Ruben Amorim, but Diogo Dalot has told the England midfielder the experience will make him stronger

Diogo Dalot has told Kobbie Mainoo that being sidelined at Manchester United will ultimately make him better footballer. Mainoo came within touching distance of leaving United in a loan spell with Napoli during last month’s transfer window.

The England midfielder had grown increasingly frustrated with how former manager Ruben Amorim had handled him. Amorim consistently overlooked Mainoo for months, leaving him stranded on the sidelines and giving him plenty of time to contemplate his future.

However, Amorim’s dismissal in January provided Mainoo with a fresh start at Old Trafford. Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, Dalot believes the ordeal will benefit him in the long run.

He said: “That just shows that in football, no matter the manager that you have, you have to work the same way. For Kobbie, he could have gone the other way.

“Because it’s really hard for you, when you’re 20 years old, you played almost 80 games for the Manchester United first team, you played for England’s national team. You’ve been there at the top, and all of a sudden you don’t play.

“How can you explain to a 20-year-old guy that you need to go back to what you did before – train hard, be humble, just wait for your opportunity? I don’t think that’s bad for him to pass through this experience.

“You might say he should have played a little bit more, or not, that might be your opinion, or not. But for him to go through that experience, I think it will benefit him for the future.

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“And I think he feels that now, because he enjoys (football) more now. He will not take for granted playing week in, week out. If you ask me about that situation, I think you will benefit a lot from going through that in his career.”

While Mainoo was deemed surplus to requirements by Amorim, Dalot demanded a constant presence in the head coach’s plans, despite often being on the receiving end of criticism from fans. And the full-back has admitted that such scrutiny has been increasingly tough to overlook.

He added: “I think it became a little bit more difficult because of, obviously, what is happening online nowadays. Everybody can say whatever they want.

“And unless you live in a cave, you’re going to be aware of what is being said or what is happening. But to be honest, because my football career, professional career, was all the time here, so I had to learn how to balance that. I had to deal with it.”

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Gary Neville has slammed Ruben Amorim’s treatment of Kobbie Mainoo as his ‘worst decision’ at Manchester United before the Portuguese coach’s sacking in January

Gary Neville has described Ruben Amorim’s failure to utilise Kobbie Mainoo more this season as the former Manchester United head coach’s ‘worst decision’.

The 20-year-old did not feature in a single Premier League starting line-up this season before Amorim’s departure on 5 January. Since then, Mainoo has been a regular fixture under interim boss Michael Carrick and was instrumental in United’s impressive run of four consecutive victories.

The midfielder is also mounting a late challenge to secure a place in the England squad ahead of this summer’s World Cup. During Amorim’s tenure, the academy product believed he would need to move elsewhere to secure the playing time necessary to catch the attention of England head coach Thomas Tuchel.

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His recent displays are precisely why Neville thinks Amorim’s refusal to give Mainoo opportunities in the side contributed to the Portuguese coach’s undoing. The pundit said on Stick to Football: “Kobbie Mainoo didn’t even get a chance under Ruben, really. If you think about it now and look at Mainoo in this team, that looks like the worst decision Ruben Amorim made.”

Neville accused the former United boss of ‘killing’ Mainoo. He continued: “I must admit, I never liked the handling of Mainoo. I think we talked about that a lot on this show. I never liked the handling of that.

“When he [Amorim] said at the start of the season that it was him or Bruno [Fernandes], I never agreed with that. It killed Kobbie Mainoo. It killed him publicly, and then he never put him in the team at all, apart from against Grimsby in the [League] Cup.

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Mainoo will be aiming to continue disproving Amorim when United face Everton next Monday. Another strong performance could enhance his chances of being selected for Tuchel’s squad for England’s two friendly matches in March.

Tuchel recently confirmed that the 20-year-old was ‘back in the picture’ alongside United colleagues Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw. Speaking at the Nations League draw on Thursday, the Three Lions manager said: “It is great that [Mainoo] is back on the pitch.

“He is such a huge talent. He has already played a tournament [Euro 2024] from start to finish for England (Mainoo started every match of the knockout stages), so he is back in the picture, so is Luke Shaw, and so is Harry [Maguire].

“There are some players suddenly back in the picture; they [United] play a back four now and play with a different style, which is a bit easier to translate to our structure at the moment. It’s good competition.”

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Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo has the backing of Rio Ferdinand after recent performances have revived his Old Trafford career

Rio Ferdinand has highlighted how Kobbie Mainoo’s performances since getting back into the Manchester United line-up under Michael Carrick disproves a theory Roy Keane aired about the midfielder earlier in the campaign.

Before Carrick had been appointed as United’s interim head coach until the end of the season, Mainoo had not started in the Premier League at all in 2025/26. This has now changed with starts in all four victories since the 44-year-old took the Old Trafford hot seat, and a new contract is on the cards.

Underlining the 20-year-old’s resurgence, he completed 33 of 35 attempted final-third passes during Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur, leading the Premier League in this statistic for the weekend.

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This particularly area of Mainoo’s abilities that had once been questioned by previous United manager Ruben Amorim, as had the England international’s work ethic by United legend Keane.

Last October as Mainoo was named on the bench for United’s win over Liverpool at Anfield, Keane told Sky Sports: “It obviously seems to be a problem for Mainoo getting into this team.

“The word coming out is they don’t think he can cover the ground that quickly, but if you look at Man Utd’s other midfielders they’ve got, they’re not great at that either.

“As a young player, he has to suck that up and work hard, and when he gets a chance, he has to take it.

“A young player with good potential cannot be guaranteed a place in United’s team. But it will come down to the player himself. Your job every day, every week, is to make sure the manager puts you in the team.

“If the manager deep down doesn’t fancy him? I don’t know. We will find that out in the next few weeks. Because if he doesn’t fancy him, he might have to move him on.”

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Fast-forward to the present day, and fellow United legend Ferdinand believes the young midfielder’s effort in training should never have been a source of debate.

“We asked the question. ‘Is he working? Is he doing what the manager is asking him? Is he putting physical mileage on the training ground?’ There’s no doubt in my mind that you run the amount that he has; it’s concrete that he was working when he wasn’t in the team,” the former defender said, speaking on his Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast.

“The tank is empty at 60 minutes, you are on the floor when you haven’t been playing for a while, and then you start. He must be doing some real work. I tip my hat to Kobbie Mainoo.”

Also wading in on the subject after United’s fourth consecutive Premier League victory was Gary Lineker, who went as far to jest Mainoo should consider taking legal action again his former boss Amorim.

“He’s taken a year out of that kid’s career. This kid is a wonderful footballer,” Lineker told The Rest is Football podcast.

“God, he makes it look so easy. He wants the ball, he receives it with anyone around him and he turns, always makes the right decisions, he’s graceful.

“I mean, come on! He’s been absolutely detrimental to his career.”

Kobbie Mainoo was heavily linked with a January move to Napoli and several Premier League clubs before Michael Carrick’s arrival changed his situation at Manchester United.

Manchester United’s reported consideration of loaning out Kobbie Mainoo for the rest of the season is claimed to have left several Premier League clubs, and Napoli, in disbelief. Mainoo endured a difficult first few months of the season under former head coach Ruben Amorim and was not trusted with a single Premier League start before the Portuguese’s departure in December.

At one stage, Mainoo looked in danger of heading out on loan, before interim head coach Michael Carrick took over. Napoli were keen to secure the 21‑year‑old on a temporary deal for the remainder of the season, while the midfielder also attracted interest from Tottenham, Aston Villa and Everton.

Scott McTominay and Rasmus Hojlund both moved to Napoli – McTominay permanently and Hojlund on loan – and the pair have been rejuvenated since leaving Old Trafford. Napoli boss Antonio Conte was eager to bring in another United player following their success.

According to The Telegraph, there was “genuine disbelief” in Naples that United were even contemplating letting Mainoo go. Similar feelings were reportedly shared by “many Premier League clubs” who were interested in taking the youngster on loan.

During Amorim’s time in charge, the 41‑year‑old often spoke about wanting players to “stay and fight” rather than walk away at the first sign of adversity – criticising what he saw as an “entitlement” culture among some academy players.

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He had also highlighted Casemiro as an example of a player who shifted his mindset and fought his way back into the team, saying: “When I see Casemiro training, if everyone trains like him, if everyone is so focused on the detail, even in training, in set-pieces training, even when they are playing ten versus goalkeeper, and the movements that he made, imagining the game, we will be a top team.

“If everyone works like Casemiro, and when I say work it’s not just running, it’s that focus. You can understand why that guy won five Champions Leagues, because if you pay attention to everything that he does with contract, with no contract, he’s top player.”

This was a message widely interpreted as another pointed reference to Mainoo.

The Mirror also reported that, as a result of Carrick’s arrival, Mainoo was told he would be part of the plans for the remainder of the season.

That came with a clear instruction to focus on re‑establishing himself at his boyhood club, while proving Amorim had been wrong to overlook him.

Under Carrick, Mainoo has started against Manchester City, Arsenal, Fulham and Tottenham.

He is also in contention to start their match at relegation-threatened West Ham on Tuesday evening (8pm).

Gary Lineker has made a tongue-in-cheek suggestion that Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo should sue Ruben Amorim after the England international’s resurgence under Michael Carrick

Gary Lineker has humorously suggested that Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo might consider taking legal action against former manager Ruben Amorim.

The England international’s career has seen a resurgence under Michael Carrick, after struggling for playing time under the Portuguese coach. The ex-Match of the Day host made the light-hearted comment following another standout performance from Mainoo in a United victory, as United extended their unbeaten run to four games against Tottenham Hotspur.

The 20-year-old was on the verge of leaving Old Trafford in search of regular first-team football, but is now close to securing a new contract at the Theatre of Dreams, having reaffirmed his value to the team.

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Lineker suggested that Mainoo’s absence from the starting line-up had been harmful, even jokingly proposing that the midfielder could contemplate suing Amorim.

Speaking on the Rest is Football podcast, he quipped: “Do you know what? If I was Kobbie Mainoo – and I say this in jest – I’d be thinking about whether I should sue him [Amorim] or not.

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“He’s taken a year out of that kid’s career. This kid is a wonderful footballer.”

“God, he makes it look so easy. He wants the ball, he receives it with anyone around him and he turns, always makes the right decisions, he’s graceful.

“I mean, come on! He’s been absolutely detrimental to his career.”

Lineker is convinced that the midfielder will secure a place in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad if he maintains his form under Michael Carrick.

“If he doesn’t make the World Cup squad… and I sense he probably will if he can stay fit and if he keeps playing because he’s just a seriously good footballer,” the former Match of the Day presenter added.

“I know his brother got in a bit of trouble for saying on the T-shirt, “Free Kobbie”, but he has absolutely got a point, his brother. What was he (Amorim) thinking?!

United are firmly in control of Champions League qualification following their 2-0 victory over Spurs, which allowed them to retain their position amongst the league’s frontrunners.

Chelsea trail by just a single point after defeating Wolves 3-1, but there was encouraging news in Manchester on Sunday when Liverpool failed to protect their one-goal advantage against Manchester City, suffering a 2-1 defeat that leaves them five points adrift of United.

The heat is rising on Arne Slot’s team as they face the prospect of slipping further behind in the battle for a top-four finish, with a midweek trip to Sunderland awaiting them – a side yet to taste defeat on home soil this season.

Ruben Amorim and Kobbie Mainoo have both been in the news regarding Manchester United as Michael Carrick looks ahead to his next game as boss

Manchester United will turn their attention to Tottenham at Old Trafford on Saturday as Michael Carrick bids to maintain his 100% record. United ended the winter transfer window quietly, allowing several squad players to depart on loan whilst maintaining their core group.

Carrick has provided a welcome change since returning to the club, winning all three matches so far. Tough encounters against rivals Manchester City and Arsenal both delivered three points, and a stoppage-time winner against Fulham ensured the interim manager kept his unblemished start.

Up next is Tottenham at home as Thomas Frank’s team seek to capitalise on their own impressive result against City last weekend. Victory over Spurs would see United further strengthen their top-four ambitions and narrow the deficit on Aston Villa, who face Bournemouth later in the day.

With the weekend fixtures fast approaching, Manchester Evening News has shared the latest developments emerging from the Theatre of Dreams.

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Ruben Amorim decision

Ruben Amorim has indirectly shown serious respect for Carrick by delaying any explanation of his United tenure until the season ends. After a 1-1 draw with Leeds United in January, the Portuguese boss was sacked following 14 months at the helm.

Carrick was appointed as interim manager, with many demanding to hear Amorim’s version of events straight after his exit. Now, a source has revealed to the Daily Mail that the 41-year-old intends to hold off until the summer before speaking publicly.

The report also indicates that this choice was made to avoid disrupting the remainder of Carrick’s spell with the club. The temporary manager will likely welcome this approach as he seeks to maintain United’s excellent run of results.

Kobbie Mainoo called out

Fulham’s Alex Iwobi has singled out Kobbie Mainoo after sustaining a hand injury during an intense encounter on Sunday. The midfielder has experienced a revival in form under Carrick, featuring in all three Premier League matches and covering more distance than any other player.

This stands in sharp contrast to his time under Amorim, as he was kept on the substitutes’ bench for most of his reign. And it appears that Iwobi is still experiencing the consequences of his battle with the England international from their meeting last weekend.

In his recent YouTube video, the midfielder said: “Shout out Kobbie Mainoo but Kobbie man.. you absolutely finished my hand. This guy has Ghanaian strength!”

Iwobi displayed his right hand during his praise of Mainoo, which had his ring and little finger taped together. It remains unclear how this injury occurred, but the Fulham star’s remarks suggest the pair engaged in a physical contest in which Iwobi evidently came off worse.

Just last month, a loan move away from United appeared the most probable next step for Mainoo after Amorim had given him just over 200 minutes of Premier League football this season. But that has all changed with the return of Carrick, who has demonstrated clear confidence in the England star from the outset – with a contract extension now seemingly on offer as well.