Ruben Amorim has been warned that he must do everything in his power to make sure that one highly talented Manchester United talent remains at Old Trafford.
The 40-year-old Manchester United manager is expected to begin a major overhaul of the United first-team squad this summer after he inherited it from Erik ten Hag.
Ruben Amorim left Sporting CP last November and arrived at Old Trafford as United head coach after Erik ten Hag was sacked by the Red Devils last October.
The former Sporting CP manager has faced an uphill battle at the Premier League club and the Red Devils’ league form has continued to dwindle this season.
United currently languish in 14th place in the Premier League table and the Red Devils have only picked up 10 league wins from 33 matches so far.
The Red Devils also suffered their 15th league defeat of the 2024-25 Premier League season on Sunday after Wolves beat United 1-0 at Old Trafford.
United are on course for their worst Premier League finish since the league’s inception and face a real challenge in ending the season in the top half of the table.
Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty ImagesDanny Murphy sends a clear-cut message to Ruben Amorim about Kobbie Mainoo’s importance for Man Utd
Kobbie Mainoo had his breakout season under Erik ten Hag in the 2023-24 campaign and he has been a key first-team player since his emergence at Old Trafford.
The 20-year-old Manchester United star rose through the ranks of the Premier League club’s youth academy and established himself as a key midfield influence.
Kobbie Mainoo has been an important player under Ruben Amorim as well, but the Stockport player’s season at Old Trafford has been disrupted at times due to injury.
The United midfielder is under contract with the Red Devils until 2027 and the Premier League side are keen for Mainoo to commit his long-term future at the club.
However, there have been rumblings that United could sell Mainoo if the right offer is tabled and the club would benefit under the Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
Speaking in his column for The Daily Mail, Danny Murphy said: “Mainoo and [Alejandro] Garnacho are two talented, hungry players capable of having a big impact for United over the next five years or more, whether that’s under Amorim or any other manager.
“If I was Amorim, I would be talking to Mainoo, talking to my bosses, and making sure he stayed. I would still be shocked to see him leave in the summer.”
Danny Murphy points to a clear example of Kobbie Mainoo’s key role for Man Utd manager Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford
Kobbie Mainoo has bounced back from his spell on the sidelines and Amorim has been easing the England international back into first-team action.
The Three Lions star has made 29 appearances across all competitions for United and Mainoo has netted two times and registered an assist for the Red Devils.
Mainoo impressed United fans with his impact after he climbed off the bench and scored in United’s 5-4 win against Lyon in the Europa League quarter-finals.
Danny Murphy has now tipped Amorim to start Mainoo for United’s crucial encounter with Athletic Bilbao in the Europa League semi-finals in May.
“His performance the other night will have provoked a lot of conversations as to why he has not been playing,” he continued.
“I wouldn’t be surprised to see Mainoo start the semi-final and a lot more matches as the season comes to an end because his talent is there for all to see.”
United face Athletic Bilbao in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final clash at the San Mames Stadium on 1st May, with kick-off slated for 8pm UK time.