Kobbie Mainoo Faces Uncertainty at Manchester United as Ruben Amorim Eyes New Midfield Signing
With Kobbie Mainoo sidelined by injury, former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy suggests a new signing could be on the horizon, raising questions about the teenager's future at Manchester United.
Kobbie Mainoo, the 19-year-old midfielder for Manchester United, has recently been the subject of speculation regarding his future at the club. After missing several matches due to a muscle injury, some experts have suggested that his place in the team might be in jeopardy, especially with Ruben Amorim potentially looking to bring in a new midfielder ahead of the January transfer window.
Mainoo, who has yet to feature for the new manager this season, suffered a hamstring injury last month during the match against Tottenham Hotspur. Despite the hope of a quick return, the teenager’s injury kept him out of action for six games. Mainoo was briefly replaced by Casemiro during the goalless draw against Aston Villa, where he aggravated his previous injury. This setback led to a period of absence, and interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy confirmed that Mainoo wouldn’t be back until after the November international break.
However, Mainoo finally made his return to the matchday squad for the game against Ipswich Town. Unfortunately for the young player, he was left unused on the bench as Ruben Amorim opted to bring on Manuel Ugarte instead. The decision raised eyebrows, especially considering that Mainoo was available for selection after a long spell on the sidelines.
Danny Murphy, a former Premier League midfielder, suggested that this change at Ipswich Town might signal that Mainoo could have a limited future at Old Trafford. Murphy wrote in a column for BBC Sport that with Ugarte already becoming a key player in midfield, Mainoo might struggle to secure a starting role. Murphy also pointed out that Manchester United’s midfield needs more than just mobility—it requires players who are strong defensively and able to read the game effectively.
According to Murphy, Ugarte is a player who could easily fit into this system under Amorim, as he has already shown glimpses of his quality in previous performances, such as his strong showing in the Europa League against Fenerbahce. Ugarte has also thrived at Sporting CP under Amorim’s guidance, which could give him the edge over Mainoo moving forward.
But while Murphy hinted that Mainoo might not have a long-term place in the team, another club legend, Gary Neville, offered a different perspective. Neville firmly believes that Mainoo still has a bright future at Manchester United. He described Mainoo and Ugarte as a “certainty” to play in the midfield together under Amorim, praising the young player’s talent and potential.
Neville’s confidence in Mainoo’s ability contrasts with Murphy’s outlook, but both agree that Manchester United’s midfield is a position that needs strengthening. Murphy suggested that in the coming transfer windows, the club will need to act to bring in the right type of player that Amorim requires, possibly a new addition to partner Ugarte in the midfield.
For Mainoo, his future at Manchester United may depend on how quickly he can regain full fitness and prove his worth to the new manager. With competition for places in the midfield heating up and other players like Ugarte already showing their abilities and skills, Mainoo faces a challenge to carve out a regular spot in the starting lineup. Only time will tell whether the young midfielder can overcome these hurdles and establish himself as a key figure for United under Amorim’s guidance.
