Kobbie Mainoo has been praised by Tottenham’s James Maddison after the Manchester United and England midfielder was named on the bench to face Wolves
Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo has struggled for regular game time this season(Image: Getty Images)
James Maddison has backed Kobbie Mainoo to get back to his best and return to a “really high level”, despite Ruben Amorim’s latest Manchester United snub. Tottenham midfielder Maddison was speaking about Mainoo after Amorim once again left the England international on the bench for United’s trip to Wolves on Monday night.
Mainoo, 20, hasn’t started a single Premier League match for United in 2025/26. He has played just 171 minutes in the top flight and was left as an unused substitute during Thursday’s 1-1 draw against West Ham at Old Trafford.
In his pre-Wolves press conference, Amorim defended his decision to give Mainoo limited game time this season. Asked if he understood why Mainoo’s status as a homegrown English player made him of specific interest, Amorim said: “Of course I understand, and my job is to answer. But you always ask me the same thing.
“I understand what you are 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]. It’s my decision.”
Now, Maddison has praised Mainoo and is confident the United man is going to turn it around, even if Amorim doesn’t favour him now. Speaking on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, presenter David Jones asked ex-Leicester and Norwich star Maddison if Mainoo still has a bright future in the game.
Kobbie Mainoo(Image: Getty)
Maddison responded: “Yeah, definitely. It wasn’t that long ago he was starting in the Euros for England. I remember Kobbie’s first start for England was a game I came on as a sub in and I was very impressed with how composed he was and the occasion just didn’t get to him at all.
“He is good on the ball and calm. A player with that much quality and assurance on the ball, I don’t see any way how he doesn’t get back to a really high level.”
Meanwhile, after Mainoo was snubbed against West Ham, a furious Paul Scholes took to Instagram to vent his frustration at Amorim. “Bulls***,” Scholes posted in response to Amorim, who said last week he views Mainoo as a starter. “The kid is being ruined, not being played in a team that can’t control a game of football. Hate seeing homegrown players leave, but it’s probably best for him now, enough is enough.”
Mainoo was named on a nine-man United bench to face Wolves, with the midfielder alongside fellow academy graduate Shea Lacey. Altay Bayindir, Patrick Dorgu, Tyrell Malacia, Lisandro Martinez, Leny Yoro, Manuel Ugarte and Joshua Zirkzee made up the Reds substitutes.