Manchester United will be celebrating the fact that their planning for the future is starting to pay dividends in the recently released Golden Boy award nominee list.
Leny Yoro aims to win the award after a season full of challenges at Old Trafford, most of which he came through with flying colours.
Yoro’s growth has been remarkable to watch, especially in an inconsistent environment like Man Utd last year. He didn’t use it as an excuse, but strove to make the best out of it by shining.
While Yoro’s growth should justifiably be celebrated, United also have a more pressing issue to address after seeing the list of final nominees.
Major Man Utd player missing from Golden Boy list
Considering the amount of aggressive recruitment that has gone on under Ineos, it is somewhat surprising to see only one United player in the final shortlist.
However, it is understandable to an extent, because most of the players brought in are yet to break out, and the club’s own form doesn’t help.
At the same time, a major name is missing from the list, someone who was a contender to win the award, let alone get nominated, as recently as last year.
The player, of course, is Kobbie Mainoo, whose fall in importance has been as quick under Ruben Amorim as his rise was meteoric under Erik ten Hag.
From starring in a European final for England and having the world at his feet, Mainoo is struggling to get into the worst Manchester United side in Premier League history, based on pure results.
Some of it is down to the player, who hasn’t been able to hit the heights of his breakout season, but it’s largely looking like a United, and more pointedly, a Ruben Amorim issue.
Ruben Amorim needs to find a way to use Kobbie Mainoo
When players like Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro keep getting chances, and Bruno Fernandes doesn’t get subbed off in his worst moment, it’s hard to back Amorim’s words of Mainoo fighting for his place.
You fight for a position you have a chance of winning, and Amorim’s actions have given no indication whatsoever that Mainoo does.
Mainoo has been a model professional after being denied a loan move in the summer, but it’s clear to see that the fight he’s being asked to fight is not a fair one.
Missing out on the final shortlist for the Golden Boy award is looking like it’s just a precursor to the actual blow coming next summer.
If this continues, he’s likely to miss the World Cup squad, marking an irreparable rift in his relationship with the club.
Yoro’s inclusion in the final shortlist for the award should be celebrated, but Mainoo’s absence is the bigger issue to address.
Ruben Amorim needs to find a way to use Mainoo.
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