Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville has made a powerful point about Kobbie Mainoo and five of the Manchester United midfielder’s teammates after Ruben Amorim’s dismissal.
Kobbie Mainoo was left fighting for Manchester United first-team minutes in the 2025-26 Premier League season under former Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim.
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The 20-year-old Stockport-born talent had been a regular starter — and key player — for former United manager Erik ten Hag after his breakout season at Old Trafford.
However, a position change to Bruno Fernandes in the current Premier League campaign saw Mainoo slide down the pecking order under Amorim’s reign.
Mainoo has managed 11 Premier League appearances for United this season, but the England international has not made a single start in the league campaign.
Gary Neville sends a Man Utd message involving Kobbie Mainoo after Ruben Amorim was axed
Kobbie Mainoo has not featured for Manchester United in recent weeks and the Three Lions star has missed the last four matches due to a calf injury.
Former United manager Ruben Amorim had been missing several players due to injuries in recent months, including defenders Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire.
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United’s squad options took a further hit in December 2025 with the departures of Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui to the AFCON tournament.
Gary Neville insisted that United need Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, Harry Maguire, Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui back as soon as possible.
“The major concern for United is to try and get [Matthijs] De Ligt and [Harry] Maguire back as quickly as possible, to get [Kobbie] Mainoo back fit, to get the lads back from AFCON, obviously when they’re knocked out of the tournament or they win it, and try and get as many good players out on that pitch as possible,” he told Sky Sports.
Gary Neville’s feelings on Man Utd’s 2025-26 Premier League season after Ruben Amorim made his Old Trafford exit
The Red Devils are sixth in the Premier League table ahead of United sacking former Sporting CP manager Amorim from the club on Monday morning.
Amorim was dismissed from United after the 1-1 draw against Leeds United in the Premier League clash at Elland Road on Sunday afternoon.
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United legend Neville still believes that the Red Devils can challenge for the Premier League top four this season amid Amorim’s recent departure from United.
“I do think this league this year is below average, I do think this Manchester United team are still in a position whereby they can get into the Champions League,” he added.
“They need an experienced coach who knows how to get them over the line, and Manchester United do need to return to a back four with wide players who can go and basically attack with that.”
United will now travel to Turf Moor on Wednesday evening and Darren Fletcher has been appointed caretaker manager for the Premier League clash against Burnley.
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