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Kobbie Mainoo, the Manchester United midfielder, 20, requested his exit from the club recently following a lack of game time under manager Ruben Amorim. On the transfer deadline day earlier this month, the Red Devils rejected the request of Kobbie Mainoo to leave the club, and in the build-up to the upcoming Manchester derby, Ruben Amorim talked about how he can do so much better for the team while believing in him a lot at the same time.
Notably, Kobbie Mainoo has been a part of Manchester United since the age of nine, starting in the club’s academy, and the crowning achievement of his young career came last year when he scored in the FA Cup final win against Manchester City at the Wembley Stadium in London. It was on August 30 of this year at Burnley in the Premier League home clash at Old Trafford when he was the only academy player in the matchday squad.
Ruben Amorim has reportedly told Kobbie Mainoo that he is competing with Bruno Fernandes for a spot
He played the second half in Manchester United’s 3-2 win over Burnley due to injury to Mason Mount at half-time, keeping the tradition of the club in regards to having a player in every matchday squad since 1937. Ruben Amorim addressed the transfer saga involving Kobbie Mainoo, and said, as per BBC Sport, “I didn't have a conversation with him before the window closed because I didn't want Kobbie Mainoo thinking that I was having a conversation with him just to hold on to him. I did it this week.”
“I believe in him a lot. He is a top player. But some of you think that Kobbie Mainoo is already done [a complete player]. I think he can do so much better. For some guys [talent] is enough, but for him it is not. Maybe it's not fair, but I think I'm helping Kobbie and that's it,” remarked the Manchester United manager about the young midfielder, wanting him to deliver more on the pitch for the team in comparison to what he has done thus far.
It is also understood that Amorim has told Mainoo that he is competing with Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes for a spot in the “number eight” role in the playing XI for all intents and purposes.
