- Mainoo struggled for game time under Amorim
- Midfielder has featured in every game under Carrick
- Maguire and Mainoo both set for new contracts
The ever changing landscape of professional football is certainly unpredictable by nature. Last November, both Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo were not in the first team picture at Manchester United.
Maguire was out injured with a thing problem for nine consecutive games. Mainoo was reduced to ineffective cameos under Ruben Amorim, with his Old Trafford future in doubt. The young midfielder even went as far as requesting a loan move away from the club, which was later blocked.
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” data-media-max-width=”560″><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>🚨 Harry Maguire on Kobbie Mainoo: <br><br>"Football is about opinions and, if Kobbie is going to have a long career, there’s going to be managers who fancy you and managers who don’t.<br><br>"Or you just don’t suit a system when you’re playing two in there [in midfield] and he wants Bruno… <a href=”https://t.co/xvtedI2Tpc”>pic.twitter.com/xvtedI2Tpc</a></p>— UtdDistrict (@UtdDistrict) <a href=”https://twitter.com/UtdDistrict/status/2037063586816651269?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>March 26, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>
Uncertainty around future put to bed
The duo were facing general uncertainty about their future, with both contracts expiring relatively soon. Maguire’s contracts expires this summer, with Mainoo’s finishing in 2027. In sync, the pair have had a pleasant last few weeks with their recall to Thomas Tuchel’s England squad. Additionally, United resumed contract talks with both, who are now expected to extend their stay at Old Trafford beyond 2026 and 2027 respectively.
It puts to bed two speculations for two indispensable players that United now have locked down. Under boss Michael Carrick, they have played important roles in starting lineups that have barely changed with the exception of injuries and suspensions.
Maguire took the time to discuss Mainoo’s time under Amorim, and what lies ahead. He said: “Football is about opinions and, if Kobbie is going to have a long career, there’s going to be managers who fancy you and managers who don’t.”
Despite never outright proclaiming that Mainoo was surplus to requirement, Amorim was keen to move the 20 year-old on. It was perceived as a blatant error to-be by United fans, but the club’s hierarchy were ready to back the Portuguese all the way. Yet, Amorim was sacked in December after his public outburst in a press conference.
The Bruno conundrum under Amorim
The centre-back went on to say: “Or you just don’t suit a system when you’re playing two in there [in midfield] and he wants Bruno [Fernandes] back and more of a defensive one to play with Bruno. “It just didn’t fit the eye of Ruben, but Kobbie’s been fantastic since he’s come back in.”
Amorim was unapologetic about where Mainoo was in his pecking order. Fernandes was used in a deeper role in the 3-4-2-1 setup. Outlandishly, the former Sporting manager claimed that Mainoo was in competition with the undroppable Fernandes.
These comments did not sit well with the United faithful. Later, it even triggered Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard to call Amorim ‘out of order’ for his treatment of the young midfielder.
Whatever the future holds after United’s squad overhaul this summer, both Maguire and Mainoo find themselves on the safe side. United can consider themselves lucky that they did not lose a future star like the 20 year-old academy graduate. Both his maturity and quality have persevered and outlived the challenging tenure of Amorim.
