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Football Insider

Ruben Amorim's Handling of Kobbie Mainoo criticized by Ravel Morrison

Ruben Amorim has come under fire for his treatment of young midfielder Kobbie Mainoo. Ravel Morrison believes Mainoo deserves more playing time and criticizes Amorim's decision to keep him on the bench. Read on for more insights.

Ruben Amorim's Handling of Kobbie Mainoo criticized by Ravel Morrison

Ruben Amorim has been accused of "taking the p*ss" when it comes to his treatment of young midfielder Kobbie Mainoo. The 20-year-old has struggled for game time under Amorim and has been linked with a transfer away in a bid to get his career back on track. Former Manchester United wonderkid Ravel Morrison believes Mainoo should feature more and that Amorim is wrong to keep him on the bench.Mainoo has been in the spotlight in recent weeks at Manchester United as his frustrations at the club continue. The midfielder is yet to start a Premier League game this season and has only managed 11 substitute appearances in the English top flight. His situation has led to speculation that he could seek a move away from the club in the January transfer window in the hope of securing regular football in the second half of the situation. The midfielder's half-brother has also raised eyebrows by wearing a 'Free Kobbie Mainoo' T-shirt during the team's recent 4-4 draw with Bournemouth at Old Trafford. The stunt was met by strong criticism by club legend Roy Keane, while Amorim has urged Mainoo to fight for his place. He told reporters: "Kobbie needs to fight for his job. I think that is not a bad thing to be on the bench of Manchester United when you are 20 years old. I remember Ronaldo was on the bench, Rooney was on the bench sometimes, [Juan Sebastian] Veron was not playing. I remember all the history of Manchester United. So let's continue in trying to avoid the nonsense and the noise. I just want to want to help the team to win."Former Manchester United wonderkid Ravel Morrison had now shared his thoughts on the topic. Morrison was widely regarded as one of best talents to emerge from the United academy but only went on to make three senior appearances and left in 2012 largely due to off-field problems. He told the Filthy Fellas podcast: "They’re taking the p*ss. He’s a top player isn’t he? I know you can’t really say it’s bad just coming on for a minute. But I don’t know if they brought him on just to take the p*** just for a minute because he should really be playing a lot more than that. He needs a run of games because you’ve seen the level he can play at. Do you know what I mean? But he does need a run of games."Morrison was then quizzed further on if Mainoo was a good fit for Amorim's United and offered up a cheeky response: "You know what? I don’t know what system United play. I only watch Arsenal innit."Looking for smarter football bets? Get expert previews, data-driven predictions & winning insights with GOAL Tips on Telegram. Join our growing community now!Mainoo had been looked set for a potential exit in January, with Napoli thought to be keen to bring the midfielder to the Serie A club to link up with former team-mates Scott McTominay and Rasmus Hojlund. However, an injury to Bruno Fernandes looks to have scuppered Mainoo's chances of a move. The Red Devils are reportedly set to block an exit for Mainoo as Fernandes is expected to miss several weeks of action. The news may come as a blow to Mainoo but it does also offer the midfielder the chance of more minutes at Manchester United, particularly with Manuel Ugarte struggling for form at Old Trafford currently.Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingManchester United have managed just two wins in their last eight games, with those victories coming against strugglers Wolves and Crystal Palace. Amorim will be hoping his team can provide supporters with some festive cheer over Christmas as his team face two games before the end of 2025. Newcastle are the visitors to Old Trafford on Boxing Day before Wolves make the trip north four days later.

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Ruben Amorim's Approach to Kobbie Mainoo's Situation

Ruben Amorim has faced allegations of neglecting young talent, with 20-year-old midfielder Kobbie Mainoo struggling to secure regular playing time. Despite calls for Mainoo to feature more prominently, Amorim has insisted that the player needs to fight for his spot and remain patient.

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Ravel Morrison's Perspective on the Matter

Former Manchester United wonderkid Ravel Morrison has voiced his concerns over Mainoo's limited opportunities, suggesting that the young midfielder should be given a chance to showcase his talents with a consistent run of games. Morrison, known for his own challenges in maximizing his potential, empathizes with Mainoo's predicament.

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Potential Transfer Speculation and Impact of Bruno Fernandes' Injury

Despite rumors linking Mainoo with a transfer to Napoli, an injury to Bruno Fernandes has led to a possible block on any move away from Manchester United. This setback may offer Mainoo renewed hope of earning more playing time, particularly given the team's recent struggles and need for additional depth in midfield.

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Manchester United's Current Form and Upcoming Fixtures

Manchester United have experienced a challenging run of form, winning only two out of their last eight matches. With crucial fixtures against Newcastle and Wolves on the horizon, Amorim will be looking to steer his team back to winning ways and lift the spirits of the supporters during the festive period.

Published on Dec 23, 2025