Man United and Ruben Amorim at loggerheads as club disagree with treatment of first-team player
Ruben Amorim is at loggerheads with the Man United hierarchy over the future of Kobbie Mainoo, according to their former chief scout.
Mick Brown, who worked at Old Trafford for over a decade during the club’s most successful period and remains very well-connected there, exclusively told Football Insider that despite ongoing speculation, United have no plans to let Mainoo leave.
Man United blocked Mainoo’s exit during the summer transfer window, despite his desire to move on loan in search of increased playing time.
So far this season, he has played just 166 minutes with just one start in his four appearances so far, leading to ongoing questions about his role under Amorim.
Amorim challenged Mainoo to improve and earn his place in the starting XI back, but has remained stubborn in his insistence that he must compete with Bruno Fernandes.
Ruben Amorim not fancying Kobbie Mainoo
Brown told Football Insider on 25 August that Mainoo could be tempted to quit Man United as a result of the manager’s treatment of him so far this season.
The former scout, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted that Amorim would be open to the midfielder’s exit if he had full say over the decision.
“Man United’s stance on Mainoo has always been that he’s not for sale,” he told Football Insider.
“They’re in a difficult position because I’m not surprised the player is looking to move on, with the manager deciding he’s not going to be a starter for him.
“He came into the team last season, looked like one of their best players, became a regular for England, and now all of a sudden he’s out of the team.
“It’s something with Amorim that I can’t understand, he’s adamant about his decision not to play him, it’s like he’s trying to prove people wrong and it’s only going to have a negative impact.
“From what I hear, if it was up to Amorim, he wouldn’t mind letting him go. That’s not how the club see it though, as far as they’re concerned, Mainoo is not for sale.
“Those types of disagreements between the club and the manager are no good, they need to be in agreement about what path they want to go down.
“But as I say, the club have no intention of letting him go, so he’s going nowhere despite what the manager might want and despite what he might want.
“As an academy player and a very talented player, the ideal scenario is that he becomes part of the starting XI again, and they hope he can do that.”
The ongoing dispute surrounding the midfielder’s future remains a cause for concern, but he has been backed to make his way back into the manager’s plans.
Man United ownership don’t agree
Despite Amorim’s insistence that Mainoo is not part of his first-team plans, the United hierarchy have refused to budge on their decision to keep him.
Academy production has been a crucial part of Man United’s history, and Mainoo is the latest gem to come out of the youth setup in recent years.
As a result of that, alongside his talent which earned him and England call-up last season, the midfielder is highly unlikely to leave, with the club in a difficult position.
Brown’s high praise for Mainoo was echoed by former United midfielder Owen Hargreaves, who labelled him “their best player” following a cameo appearance against Man City. [Metro]
Meanwhile, Gary Lineker has blasted Amorim’s treatment of Mainoo, with a number ex-players seemingly sharing the club’s confusion towards the manager.
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