Kobbie Mainoo was an unused substitute for a second successive game in Manchester United’s stalemate at Craven Cottage.
Indeed, the 20-year-old starlet could only watch on from the bench as United dropped two points against Fulham despite taking the lead and being awarded an early spot-kick.
Ruben Amorim’s decision not to utilise Mainoo for even a single minute has prompted concerns among the United faithful that their academy prospect is at risk of leaving. Given how he’s fared thus far in a red shirt and the fact that he’s still far from the finished product, losing him so early in his first-team tenure would be unjustifiable by INEOS.
Amorim: Mainoo ‘fighting’ with his skipper for starting spot
After the full-time whistle in West London, Amorim was pressed on Mainoo’s absence and admitted the player faces a battle to reclaim a starting spot.
The coach told reporters: “He’s fighting for the position now with Bruno [Fernandes]. I let Mason Mount there because we want to score a goal. When I changed, I felt the team needs to return to one holding midfielder near Bruno. He just needs to fight for the position with Bruno.”
Reacting on X/Twitter, The Athletic’s Adam Crafton retorted that Amorim’s admission was ‘not good’.
The situation, combined with the fact Mainoo has yet to commit his long-term future to United despite being in contract talks for several months, is a concerning one.
Mainoo has Premier League suitors monitoring his situation
Mainoo won’t sit around and wait forever to be restored to the XI, especially consdering he’d grown accustomed to playing an integral role under Erik ten Hag, which led to the youngster being called up to represent England at Euro 2024.
United failing to qualify for Europe last season also means there are considerably fewer games for the midfielder to feature in. As a result, you couldn’t blame him for mulling over an Old Trafford departure, and he wouldn’t be short of interest in the event he did opt to leave.
Chelsea are said to be longstanding admirers of Mainoo, while Tottenham Hotspur also reportedly made an enquiry over his availability earlier this summer.
