Ruben Amorim’s departure from Manchester United might benefit a few players moving forward
Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo may now have a genuine opportunity to rejuvenate his career at M16 following Ruben Amorim’s departure. The Red Devils decided to part ways with the Portuguese tactician after he was involved in an altercation with Jason Wilcox during a scheduled meeting ahead of the Leeds United match last week. That incident proved to be the final nail in the coffin for Amorim, who was subsequently sacked following the 1-1 draw at Elland Road.
While some may view the decision as harsh, United youngster Kobbie Mainoo will undoubtedly be relieved by the manager’s exit. The England international had fallen down the pecking order under Amorim, and it appeared he had no future at the club if the former Sporting boss had remained in charge. He did not start a single Premier League game under the Portuguese tactician this season, strongly suggesting that he was no longer part of the plans at M16.
As a result, it came as little surprise that Mainoo was seeking a way out of Manchester United in the winter as he looked to keep his World Cup dream alive. Recent reports suggested that Napoli were leading the race for his signature and were pushing hard to sign the talented midfielder on loan for the second half of the campaign. The 20-year-old was also open to a move to Italy, eager to prove his worth by taking on a new challenge.
Kobbie Mainoo is all set to stay at Manchester United for the rest of the season
Many fans struggled to understand why Kobbie Mainoo was frozen out of the United side by Ruben Amorim during the first half of the season. The England international quickly became a fan favourite at M16 after rising through the ranks at Carrington and playing a key role in helping the Red Devils win the FA Cup in his breakout season. It was clear that the 20-year-old possessed enough quality to start regularly for a struggling United side under Amorim.
Now that the Portuguese tactician has left the club, it appears that the opportunity to revive his United career could come sooner rather than later for Mainoo. As per Laurie Whitwell (via The Athletic),
“Last summer, United were so committed to Amorim they were prepared to sell Kobbie Mainoo for £40m. Mainoo is one of the big winners from Amorim’s departure. Feeling he had no future under Amorim, the 20-year-old midfielder wanted a loan away, but he is now expected to stay.”
It seems remarkable that Manchester United were willing to consider selling a talent like Mainoo in the summer to demonstrate their backing of a manager who has since been sacked after just 19 Premier League matches. With Amorim now gone, Whitwell reports that the gifted midfielder wants to stay at M16 and fight for his place under a new regime. He is determined to revive his career at Old Trafford and establish himself as a key figure in the side during the second half of the campaign.
Manchester United need Kobbie Mainoo… and vice versa
Manchester United are a club that has historically relied on academy graduates to navigate difficult periods. Selling Kobbie Mainoo would have gone against everything the Red Devils have traditionally stood for. Now that the England international is set to remain at M16, it is vital for Darren Fletcher to reintegrate him into the starting eleven as soon as possible.
United are clearly lacking an elite ball-carrier in midfield who can complement Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro to form a balanced, dynamic trio. Deploying the 20-year-old as a box-to-box midfielder would aid his development while also giving Fernandes greater freedom to operate higher up the pitch, closer to the opposition goal.
So, it goes without saying that Mainoo’s importance should not be underestimated, as he could be the missing piece of the puzzle in helping the Red Devils return to where they belong. Will we witness a redemption arc in the 20-year-old’s journey at M16 now that Amorim has departed? Only time will tell.