Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has challenged Kobbie Mainoo to kick up a few extra gears, insisting that the midfielder is still not the finished article despite how good he is.
Amorim also admitted that it’s a “hard moment” for United, amidst suggestions that Mainoo is currently in a contract stalemate with the club.
Earlier this week, it emerged that Chelsea are eyeing a swoop for Mainoo if he were to part ways with the Red Devils. It was subsequently reported that the England international wants significantly more wages than United are prepared to fork out.
Amidst United’s desperate need to comply with PSR rules, there have been murmurs that the club would consider offers for almost every player in the squad, including Mainoo.
However, Amorim has insisted that he wants to continue working with Mainoo, urging the youngster to continue working towards improving his craft.
Amorim told reporters ahead of United’s FA Cup clash against Arsenal on Sunday, “At the minute, it’s a hard moment at the club, but of course I’m happy with Kobbie.”
“I think you can feel that he is the finished product, but he’s not yet. He has so much potential to grow even more, but he is really good and can be so much better.”
“I think he is improving, all of the players are improving, and all of the players are important to me.”
Amorim also heaped praise on Manuel Ugarte, indicating that the Uruguayan has added other aspects to his game from the time they worked together at Sporting Lisbon.
“I think he has become better with the ball since then, and in playing between the lines. He’s continued to be an aggressive player, but I think he has improved in many ways.”
“He is from Uruguay, which can help, but he is a good example. It is a really important position in the team, so it was easier to pass the [tactical] message to Ugarte, but I think others are also improving.”
“A lot of players are giving their best. I think Kobbie has also improved a lot during these last few matches.”
Amorim emphasised that he wants consistency from his players after noticing a drop-off when they’re facing perceived lesser opponents.
“I saw it when the referee finished the game (at Anfield), some of the players were really tired and went down on the pitch and you don’t see it in all the games.”
“We have to focus on these details. But we need to suffer, we need to run. It’s to prove every day and in every game that you can win it, not just in the final, on a good pitch with a full stadium.”
“It’s to win it when the storm is there. Against City and Tottenham (in the Carabao Cup where they lost 4-3), we did very good jobs in that week and then (against Bournemouth), you have to focus again and be really competitive and you feel the team dropped the levels of playing.”
“We need to improve on that, not in the big games because I’m not worried about that but to be consistent every day, that is my biggest concern.”
The Portuguese coach admitted that he hopes to win silverware in his first few months in the Old Trafford dugout.
“The feeling of winning, that feeling gives you so much confidence. If you win one thing you will believe you can win more. That feeling is addictive; you feel it and it’s really easy to follow that to try to win it again. I think it is important for the confidence of the players.”
Arsenal vs. United kicks off at 15:00 GMT.
Featured image Nathan Stirk via Getty Images
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Derick Kinoti
Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the game extensively for many years. He is a keen analyst with expertise in SEO and journalism standards. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!
