England star Kobbie Mainoo has reflected on the all-important aspect of his time under former Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim in the 2025-26 campaign.
Kobbie Mainoo overcame a challenging period at Old Trafford last season after the 21-year-old Manchester United midfielder lost his place in the starting XI.
Ruben Amorim had turned to Bruno Fernandes for a deeper midfield role alongside Casemiro and Mainoo suffered the consequences of the ex-United manager’s call.
Mainoo was left fighting for United first-team minutes at Old Trafford before former Sporting CP manager Amorim was sacked by the Red Devils back in January.
If Elliot Anderson is £125m… What is Kobbie Mainoo’s market value right now?
Not that he's going anywhere…🔒
What Kobbie Mainoo was thinking under Ruben Amorim at Man Utd ahead of the 2026 World Cup with England
Ruben Amorim’s exit from Manchester United in the 2025-26 campaign paved the way for Michael Carrick to breathe new life into Kobbie Mainoo’s playing spell.
Michael Carrick immediately brought Mainoo back into the Man Utd starting XI and the Stockport-born talent was able to turn around his fortunes at Old Trafford.
Mainoo’s run of form under United legend Carrick allowed the Three Lions international to climb back into the England squad under Thomas Tuchel.
Speaking at England’s training camp, Mainoo revealed that his mentality under Amorim was to “focus” on trying to land a place in England’s World Cup squad.
“At the time, it wasn’t coming as often as I’d like, so when I was getting a game for United, that’s all my focus was on,” he told the press, as per BBC Sport.
“Obviously, you know, the World Cup is at the end of the year and that is a big dream and big goal for any player.
“But I try to just keep my focus on the games ahead of me.”
READ MORE: Forget Fernando Torres, Nemanja Vidic now names three ‘more difficult’ opponents he faced at Man Utd
Kobbie Mainoo LOVES scoring vs Liverpool at the Stretford End – which goal was best, his strike in 2026 or 2024?
Kobbie Mainoo breaks down what he took away from his experience under former Man Utd manager Ruben Amorim
Mainoo featured for England during the March international break before the Man Utd midfielder was called up for Thomas Tuchel’s 26-man World Cup squad.
The United youth academy product explained that “patience” was the defining lesson that he learned from his tough time under former Red Devils boss Amorim.
“I think patience, just trying to take things a day at a time and just doing the best at controlling the things I can control and now worrying about the things that are out of my control,” he added.
“Keep my head down and keep working.”
Mainoo made 30 appearances across all competitions for Man Utd in the 2025-26 campaign and the England star netted once and registered three assists for his side.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
