Kobbie Mainoo was totally overlooked for Manchester United’s opening Premier League games and reports suggested the young midfielder wanted to leave the club on loan. Ruben Amorim had suggested that he was competing with Bruno Fernandes for a place in the starting XI. As the captain, who is never injured and arguably the most important player on the pitch, Mainoo understandably believed his playing time would be limited this season and, with the World Cup next summer, was keen to leave on a temporary basis for more playing time.
However, the window closed with Mainoo still in the squad and he came on at half-time in our last league game, the 3-2 win over Burnley.
Speaking to the press ahead of the derby, Amorim has spoken about the faith he has in Mainoo, but also his desire to see him develop and improve.
Like a lot of guys, he wants to play more. I believe a lot in Kobbie but some of you think that Kobbie Mainoo is already done. I think he can do so much better. He can improve in a lot. And sometimes I think for some guys it’s [the level he’s playing at now] enough. For him, it’s not enough. Maybe it’s not fair, but I think I’m helping Kobbie Mainoo and that’s it. He will have opportunities like the other guys. If I feel during the week that he’s the best player to play, he’s going to play and I proved that already to every player here. I believe a lot in him. I have the same thing [opinion] that you have and that is a top, top player, but he can be so much better, so I’m focused on that.
Amorim has spoken about watching Mainoo from Portugal, when he was still Sporting manager, and the qualities he saw on show.
The way I play is completely different from the last manager. I watched a lot of Premier League games [while I was] in Portugal, and you could feel that United was really [about] transitions. Kobbie was the only guy that calmed down the game.
Now, we have other players that calm down the game. We play different. And [so] sometimes I expect more from Kobbie Mainoo. I know he can give that. He is really good at controlling the game, but if he plays as a no.8, he has to reach the box [and be] returning [back to midfield]. Sometimes he has to cover a lot of space.
Kobbie could play as a no.6, but sometimes he passes the ball and goes away, and that’s not a reference as a no.6. So we have to balance everything [in midfield]. I think he needs to have the technical ability that he [already] has, but he needs more pace, he needs to better understand the position, he needs to play in different speeds – sometimes it’s slower, sometimes it’s faster – and I think he can improve on that. And then sometimes it’s bad luck. Bruno is maybe the most influential player in the last [few] years, and he’s been playing in that position. He has to beat Bruno, Case, Manu, they are good players also. So I need to choose. It depends on the game, the opposition and the set pieces, sometimes. All these things matter when you choose the team.
Sometimes it’s the opinion of a coach. I remember Vitinha. Vitinha was not playing for Wolverhampton [Wanderers]. Then, nowadays, you can see that he’s maybe the best midfielder in the world. So you never know! I need to go with what I’m feeling in the moment.