Kobbie Mainoo is doing everything he can to get back into the Manchester United line-up after being challenged by Ruben Amorim.
It has been a slow start to the 2025/26 season for Manchester United, winning just two of their first six matches in the Premier League.
The pressure is mounting on Ruben Amorim following United’s 3-1 defeat to Brentford on Saturday.
It has led to more questions about Amorim’s team selections, in-game management and reluctance to alter his preferred 3-4-2-1 system.
The only way Amorim can lessen the pressure he is under is by winning football matches because, as of now, Sir Jim Ratcliffe is backing the United head coach to turn things around.
Meanwhile, United fans are debating whether Amorim should make some changes to his team.
Kobbie Mainoo making a good impression in Man Utd training
One of the biggest talking points this season has been Amorim’s decision to overlook Kobbie Mainoo in midfield.
Nicky Butt has criticised Amorim over his handling of Mainoo, suggesting that any club would want the United academy graduate. The former United midfielder isn’t alone either, with Wayne Rooney also stressing his concerns over Mainoo.
The writing appeared to be on the wall at the beginning of the season when Mainoo requested a loan move away from Old Trafford.
Furthermore, Mainoo has only started one game in seven – in United’s embarrassing defeat to Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup. The England international was arguably United’s best player on the pitch after recording an assist for his efforts.
The 20-year-old didn’t play a single minute in the games against Arsenal and Fulham, and he only got three minutes in United’s 2-1 win over Chelsea.
A report from CentreDevils can now reveal that members of staff within the club have been ‘extremely’ impressed by Mainoo’s attitude and professionalism in training this season.
It is noted that Mainoo has been working hard to regain his starting spot and has been doing extra work with an individual fitness coach.
The report also outlines that many within the club believe Mainoo should be getting much more game time than what he has been given thus far this season.
Mainoo will be aiming for a starting role when United host Sunderland on Saturday.
How Ruben Amorim can fit Kobbie Mainoo into his team
There are several ways Amorim could use Mainoo in his current system.
The England international is not limited to playing in the number eight role, and could prove to be an alternative to Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte, as well as Bruno Fernandes.
Amorim must consider making a change to his system to stop teams overloading United in the centre of the pitch.
The team would have a greater balance if Mainoo joined Casemiro and Fernandes in the centre of the pitch, but that would require a change to a 4-3-3 formation.
There are options available to Amorim, but only time will tell if he implements them to save his job as United head coach.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
