‘It’s alarming’ – Man United legend baffled by what Ruben Amorim has done to ‘superstar’
Ruben Amorim continues to confuse supporters due to his treatment of one of Man United’s most talented players.
The spotlight was well and truly on the manager after creating a “bomb squad” during the summer transfer window, but the decision to ship Alejandro Garnacho out to Chelsea has worked out.
Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, and Antony all found new homes for the 2025-26 campaign, and while there are mixed reactions over the Barcelona loanee, Amorim appears to have turned things around.
Despite the Red Devils moving into the top half of the Premier League table, fans cannot help but wonder what on earth has happened to Kobbie Mainoo behind the scenes at Old Trafford.
Mainoo wanted to leave Man United on loan during the summer transfer window, but his exit was blocked, and now he remains down the pecking order, only appearing off the bench.
Nicky Butt raises concerns over the treatment of Kobbie Mainoo
Nicky Butt has spoken up about the strange situation surrounding the 20-year-old midfielder, who is now competing with Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes for a spot in the starting lineup.
Speaking to Sky Sports (27 November), Nicky Butt said: “I am worried about him because he’s a superstar. He got into the England team at 18-19. He was one of the best performers at the Euros for us.
“He’s come through the academy from the age of seven; he was there when I was there as academy manager. I know him as a person, know him as a young boy.
“I know him as a young man, I know the talent that he’s got. The scary thing for me is that if Kobbie Mainoo were playing for Crystal Palace, for example, Man United would go and buy him for £60–70 million, guaranteed.
“So it is alarming that he’s not playing a lot. Man United would be in for him in January for £50-60m, and it’s sad because I know how much he loves football and the football club.”
What do Man United have planned for Mainoo now?
While Butt is clearly concerned now, it could get even worse, with Football Insider understanding that Man United have paused contract talks with Mainoo due to uncertainty over his future.
The Red Devils could break a club tradition of always having an academy product in the matchday squad should the youngster leave in January, and Amorim has vowed not to be the one to break that.
There needs to be a resolution, though. Several Premier League clubs, as well as giants in Europe, are keeping tabs on the situation, and Mainoo is desperate to play more minutes on the pitch.
That is unlikely to happen at Old Trafford anytime soon, so if the academy product wants to develop and improve, Amorim might have to make the decision to let him go during the January transfer window.
He is more than talented enough to make it into most teams in the Premier League, but that challenge might not be enough for him this season.