Kobbie Mainoo’s pathway into Manchester United’s first team has been thrown into uncertainty after manager Ruben Amorim admitted the youngster is directly competing with captain Bruno Fernandes for a midfield berth.
Kobbie Mainoo, 20, who broke into the England squad earlier this year, has not featured in United’s opening two Premier League games of the season. He was left out of the 1-0 defeat to Arsenal on the opening weekend and was again overlooked during Sunday’s 1-1 draw away to Fulham.
At Craven Cottage, Amorim’s substitutions offered a telling glimpse into his current thinking.
Despite United chasing victory after Emile Smith Rowe cancelled out Rodrigo Muniz’s own goal, the Portuguese manager opted to bring on striker Benjamin Sesko and later shifted Mason Mount into midfield rather than turn to Mainoo.
Mount was then replaced by Manuel Ugarte, with defenders Harry Maguire and Ayden Heaven introduced late on as United pressed for a winner.
The clearest sign of Mainoo’s struggle came in Amorim’s post-match comments.
While Fernandes missed a first-half penalty, his role as a guaranteed starter was never questioned. Instead, Amorim revealed that Mainoo’s opportunities will depend on how he performs against United’s skipper in training.
“He is fighting for the position now with Bruno,” Amorim said. “I changed two midfielders. I like Mason Mount there because we want to score a goal. And then when I changed it, I felt that the team needed to return to one holding midfielder. So he just needs to fight for the position with Bruno in training. Like it should be at Manchester United.”
For now, Mainoo may have to settle for a place in United’s League Cup tie against Grimsby on Wednesday, a competition that could provide him with the minutes he needs to prove himself.
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