Kobbie Mainoo came off the bench late in Manchester United’s 4-1 Premier League victory over Wolves and the reaction of the away end told its own story
Kobbie Mainoo came off the bench for the closing stages of Manchester United’s win at Wolves
It’s not often a player who hasn’t even started a league game dominates the build-up to a Premier League fixture. But Kobbie Mainoo has been the name on the lips of many Manchester United supporters this season.
He’s gone from being one of the first names on the teamsheet, scoring a goal in the FA Cup final and playing a role in England’s run to the final of the European Championships, to being out in the cold for his club. His only United start this term has been in the Carabao Cup defeat to Grimsby Town and he was again on the bench at Wolves on Monday night.
United ultimately cantered to a comfortable 4-1 victory at Molineux and Mainoo was introduced to the action with 12 minutes left to play. His arrival was greeted with one of the loudest roars of the night from the sold out away end.
The message from the travelling fans was clear, he’s one of our own and we want him to stay. Mainoo’s talent is obvious and his application during his period on the sidelines has been a credit to the 20-year-old. He’s not moaned or whined, and has knuckled down to try and force himself into Ruben Amorim’s thinking.
That hasn’t transpired and there is no indication to suggest it might in the near future. Amorim spoke in the build-up to the game about the young midfielder and in a spiky press conference defended his decision to overlook the England international.
“I just want to win,” said Amorim. “I don’t look [at] who it is, I don’t care about that, I’m just trying to put the best players on the pitch.”
He added: “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.”
The United boss then said “I don’t know” when asked whether the upcoming departure of Amad and Bryan Mbeumo to the Africa Cup of Nations might afford Mainoo the minutes he craves. “I don’t know what is going to happen,” said the United boss. “It depends. I’ve seen the training, if it’s the best thing for the team, I will put [him in], that is the only way I know how to respond to that.”
Mainoo’s response to his lack of football is set to be a request to move in January. He asked to leave in the summer but a permanent move was blocked. He’s set to seek a loan switch when the winter window opens.
Whether Amorim will sanction a departure remains to be seen but one thing is clear, the United fans want their homegrown hero to stay at Old Trafford, they want him to be given an opportunity. Amorim doesn’t seem to share the view.