Man Utd followers ship clear January switch window message to Ruben Amorim throughout Wolves win
One Manchester United star was given a hero’s welcome as he came on as a substitute in the 4-1 win at Wolves, with fans sending a clear message to Ruben Amorim
It’s a rarity for a player who hasn’t even kicked off a league match to be the talk of the town ahead of a Premier League clash.
Yet, Kobbie Mainoo has been on the tip of every Manchester United fan’s tongue this season. He’s gone from being a regular starter, netting in the FA Cup final and playing a part in England’s journey to the Euro final, to being left out in the cold at his club.
His only time starting for United this season was in the Carabao Cup loss to Grimsby Town, and he found himself warming the bench again at Wolves on Monday night. United breezed to a 4-1 win at Molineux and Mainoo was brought into the fray with just 12 minutes on the clock.
His entrance was met with one of the biggest cheers of the night from the packed away end. The message from the travelling Red Devils was loud and clear: he’s one of us and we want him to stay.
Mainoo’s skill is undeniable and his attitude during his stint on the sidelines speaks volumes about the 20-year-old. He’s kept his chin up, not complained, and put his head down to try and work his way into Ruben Amorim’s plans, reports the Manchester Evening News.
That hasn’t panned out and there’s no sign it will anytime soon. Ahead of the match, Amorim addressed the young midfielder’s situation and defended his choice to sideline the England international in a tense press conference.
“I just want to win,” declared Amorim. “I don’t look [at] who it is, I don’t care about that, I’m just trying to put the best players on the pitch.”
He continued: “You always ask me the same thing. I understand what you are saying. You love Kobbie. He starts for England. But that doesn’t mean that I need to put Kobbie [in] when I feel that I shouldn’t put Kobbie [in]. It’s my decision.”
When quizzed about whether the imminent departure of Amad and Bryan Mbeumo to the Africa Cup of Nations might give Mainoo more game time, the United boss responded: “I don’t know.”
He added: “I don’t know what is going to happen. It depends. I’ve seen the training, if it’s the best thing for the team, I will put [him in], that is the only way I know how to respond to that.”
Mainoo’s answer to his lack of playtime looks set to be a transfer request come January. He asked to leave in the summer but was denied a permanent move. Now, he’s likely to push for a loan deal as soon as the winter window opens.
Whether Amorim will green-light a move remains up in the air, but one thing’s certain – the United faithful are desperate for their homegrown star to stay at Old Trafford and get his shot. However, it seems Amorim isn’t quite on the same page.
