Kobbie Mainoo will start this afternoon’s clash with Brentford watching on from the substitutes’ bench.
It’s now the sixth Premier League game in a row that the midfielder has not been included in the starting XI, prompting major concerns with supporters over his role at the club long-term.
Ruben Amorim opts against Mainoo inclusion vs Bees
There was guaranteed to be at least one change in the middle of the park today following on from Casemiro’s red card last time out against Chelsea. However, Ruben Amorim has called upon Manuel Ugarte to deputise for the Brazilian veteran over Mainoo.
When pressed on his decision pre-match with TNT Sports, the head coach responded (h/t UtdDistrict): “Kobbie Mainoo can give us different things in that position and we talked about that during the week.
“But in the end, we look at Brentford for the number of transitions. We have three players in front, also Bruno [Fernandes], so we try to manage to balance the team.”
Mainoo could still push for mid-season switch
Heading into today’s fixture, Mainoo has featured for only 76 minutes across the three appearances he’s made, having been an unused sub for the opening two games.
He came on at the interval in place of the injured Mason Mount during United’s win over Burnley prior to the international break, before being granted a 28-minute cameo in the Manchester derby.
Last weekend at Old Trafford, the 20-year-old played just three minutes in the closing stages of the action-packed Chelsea victory.
Should the situation continue as it is, it’s thought Mainoo will ask to leave again in the January window. He initially requested a loan move late in the summer, but United chiefs blocked any potential move, instead telling him that he was expected to stay and fight to reclaim his spot.
