It’s a crucial season for Ruben Amorim and everyone at Manchester United.
After such a turbulent 2024/25 campaign, with Manchester United losing the Europa League final and finishing 15th in the Premier League, there’s a need for optimism ahead of the new campaign.
Otherwise, United fans have nothing to hope for, and that wouldn’t be right. Many would rightly argue that we suffered enough stress watching Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim try to get results with the players they had available to them.
Pre-season is underway for United after a scoreless draw with Leeds in Stockholm.
United are now in the United States for the Summer Series, where they will play three Premier League sides – including West Ham, Bournemouth and Everton – in friendlies before taking on Fiorentina at Old Trafford.
While all of the players are being put through their paces for pre-season, the likes of Leny Yoro and Kobbie Mainoo have been working hard throughout the summer to stay fit to continue their development at United.
Some of the younger players have returned looking noticeably bigger after returning to training, which bodes well for the season ahead.
That always tends to be the case at United, with players trying many different training regimes over the summer months to stay in shape.
Kobbie Mainoo bulks up ahead of 2025/26 season
One player at Old Trafford who has been praised for baulking up and being in good shape is Mainoo.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise, given that Yoro commented on the hard work they were doing over the summer.
Speaking on the More than a Match Podcast, former Manchester United academy player, D’Mani Mellor, revealed he recently caught up with the United first-team graduate.
Mellor claims Mainoo has grown over the summer and even compared him to Paul Pogba.
“I had a couple of friends over who I’ve not seen for a while Jimmy, James Garner, Kobbie. Kobbie Mainoo, he’s very stocky now, he’s big.
“He’s in very good shape, he’s different, he reminds me of, not like Pogba, but a bit like Pogba, he uses his body so well, he can turn you and put his arm out like he’s strong with his arm, his passing is clever. He’s a very good player and I’m looking forward to seeing him this year. He looks in very good shape and he’ll have a good season this season.”
Mainoo’s biggest objective this season
Perhaps we will see a difference in how Mainoo plays this season because Amorim needs to find a role for the England international in his midfield. He is talented enough to find a role, too.
The 20-year-old’s biggest personal objective this season is to cement a place in Amorim’s team.
Last season was a struggle for Mainoo, but his performances were massively hindered by injuries and the lowered standards of his teammates.
He picked up a nasty injury during a pre-season friendly against Arsenal, and it proved to be a setback that ruined his entire season.
Fingers crossed he can get a full pre-season under his belt before the competitive season begins.
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