- Social media reacts to Manchester United star
- Mainoo was excellent versus Brentford
- Midfielder was not rated by former boss Ruben Amorim
Ruben Amorim’s time at Manchester United will forever be tarnished as long as it is associated with one particular player.
The Portuguese head coach was sacked after 14 months in charge at Old Trafford. His biggest ‘crime’ was leaving Kobbie Mainoo to rot on the bench in a World Cup year. Moreover, United barely have any midfielders up to scratch besides Casemiro in the squad.
It makes for a bewildering thought process by Amorim not to find a place for Mainoo in the starting eleven. However, the good times are back with Michael Carrick, as United secured a 2-1 win over Keith Andrews’ Brentford side.
Social Media Reacts to Kobbie Mainoo
The 21-year-old had a ‘silky’ game next to goalscorer Casemiro, as the pair have just four games left playing together. Amorim preferred dropping Bruno Fernandes deeper next to the Brazilian, otherwise deputising Manuel Ugarte if Fernandes was required as a number eight.
In the first minute of the game, Mainoo went on an amazing run through midfield in what would have been an assist of the season. Unfortunately, Amad squandered the chance. A monster performance capped off another win, despite a late screamer from Brentford’s Mathias Jensen.
Whilst it was Casemiro who earned the Player of the Match award, Gary Neville praised ‘both United central midfielders’ for their hard work on the night.
One fan analysed: “It’s really funny how the only criticism of Mainoo you can have is he’s a bit slow lol, he’s a great tempo player, comfortable on the ball and solid defensively and yet some moron stuck him on the bench for half a season.”
The reverse fixture in September’s game ended 3-1 in Brentford’s favour. Manuel Ugarte started that game, with Mainoo being brought on in the second half. He had to wait four months until he got another start for Manchester United, under Darren Fletcher.
Another fan added: “I still can’t comprehend how Ruben Amorim watched Mainoo and thought Ugarte was even an inch of a better footballer than him. Honestly baffling.” One fan on X had a more extreme view, highlighting that “Amorim should be in jail right away.”
Mainoo Thriving Under Carrick
In December 2025, Amorim infamously defended his decision to continously bench Mainoo. When asked by the media, he said: “I just want to win. 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.”
Ultimately, the former head coach achieved neither objective. His tenure was defined by a confusing tactical rigidity where established stars were shoehorned into unfamiliar positions. Elsewhere, one of the club’s most gifted academy graduates in years was left to watch from the sidelines.
The prospect of a future away from Old Trafford became a real possibility for Mainoo, as Europe’s elite began circling a hot talent. In hindsight, the club is incredibly lucky that Mainoo’s patience lasted longer than Amorim’s tenure.
The performance against the Bees felt like a definitive statement, and the timing couldn’t be better. The midfielder is set to sign a new bumper contract with the club. Moreover, Mainoo will almost certainly play in the Champions League for his boyhood club.
