Gary Neville believes that Kobbie Mainoo is yet to fully convince Ruben Amorim that he warrants a regular starting berth in his Manchester United side.
Mainoo enjoyed a breakout season at Old Trafford in 2023-24, earning a place in England’s Euro 2024 squad as a result and ultimately starting the final against Spain.
But injuries and a lack of form saw Mainoo struggle to replicate those highs in his second season with the first team, with the 20-year-old starting just 19 games under Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim.
Mainoo will hope to rediscover his best form this season, but could face a tall order to force his way into Amorim’s midfield two.
The signings of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo may force Bruno Fernandes into a deeper role, while Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte have often been preferred to Mainoo for other spot in pre-season.
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And with talks over a new contract still stalling, and links with Chelsea not disappearing, Neville believes that Mainoo faces an uncertain future this season under Amorim.
‘The midfield does look worrying with Ugarte, Casemiro and Mainoo,’ Neville said on The Overlap’s Stick to Football.
‘Do you know what, I looked at Kobbie Mainoo last week and it looked like he has physically changed.
‘He looked stronger, like he was more sturdy then he was before.
‘It’s early but I thought Kobbie Mainoo would be an absolute certainty to play as one of United’s two midfield players for the next five or ten years.
‘But it doesn’t feel like the manager is fully on board with that.’
Mainoo’s path into the first team may be about to get even harder, with United reportedly plotting a move for Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba.
And former Red Devils captain Wayne Rooney believes it is essential that United add some more depth in the middle of the park.
‘I still would like to see them sign a solid midfield player who is going to help control games for them, but also build up play,’ Rooney told Match of The Day.
‘I’d still like one more. I think Bruno, I’d like to see him pushed forward and that allows him to go forward and play forward more.
‘So I think they’ve been good signings, but I’d like to see them get one or two more.’
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