Kobbie Mainoo makes key lifestyle change as Man United pressure intensifies
Kobbie Mainoo has made adjustments to his lifestyle to impress Ruben Amorim after his limited minutes in the side.
Man United blocked Mainoo’s potential exit in the summer, despite the midfielder’s desire to leave on loan in order to gain regular first-team minutes.
Their stance could change as Football Insider revealed the midfielder could leave on one condition, as Man United want a replacement for Mainoo to sanction an exit.
He has had to compete with club captain Bruno Fernandes in one of the midfield positions, but has faced limited game time so far. It seems as if he is not in Amorim’s immediate plans, prompting him to focus on improving off the pitch instead.
Kobbie Mainoo fallen out of favour under Ruben Amorim
So far this season, the 20-year-old has played just 166 minutes with just one start in his four appearances.
This has raised questions over his role under the manager, with Football Insider revealing that Amorim disagrees with Man United’s stance over Mainoo. The board are not willing to sell him, while the Portuguese coach is open to a potential exit.
While a sale of Mainoo would provide the club pure profit on the books as he has progressed through the academy, yet the club’s leadership appear keen to retain him.
The manager’s stance has come under criticism as Gary Lineker has blasted Amorim’s treatment of Mainoo, with confusion as to how a player of such high potential can’t find his place in a struggling Man United side.
| Season | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 2025-26 | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| 2024-25 | 37 | 2 | 1 |
| 2023-24 | 25 | 5 | 3 |
Mainoo hires new personal chef to improve conditioning
While the midfielder was open to an exit, it appears he is keen on earning the manager’s trust with recent lifestyle changes.
According to Manchester Evening News [24 September], Mainoo has changed his private chef and worked with a private coach to “improve his game”.
The report added that the midfielder is “desperate” to start again regularly and wants to impress Amorim.
Amorim tends to prefer playing Fernandes in a deeper midfield role, but using him higher up the pitch could create an opportunity for Mainoo to establish himself in his natural position.
That change and efforts from the midfielder may be crucial for the academy graduate to prove he has a future at Old Trafford.