![\"Harry](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/0_GettyImages-2273809643.jpg\")
<\/p>\nHarry Maguire has opened up on Kobbie Mainoo’s situation under former manager Ruben Amorim before the midfielder went on to play a key role for Michael Carrick in the second half of the season<\/p>\n
Harry Maguire spoke highly about Kobbie Mainoo after the youngster’s lack of opportunities under Ruben Amorim<\/p>\n
Harry Maguire has criticised Ruben Amorim<\/a>, claiming Kobbie Mainoo<\/a> would have left Manchester United<\/a> had the Portuguese remained in charge, and has lifted the lid on the youngster’s treatment. Mainoo struggled for regular minutes last season, with Amorim’s preferred system leaving little room for him. He did not start a Premier League<\/a> match until the manager was sacked in January.<\/p>\n Amorim, 41, failed to find a role for Mainoo despite trialling him in multiple positions. The midfielder was even used up front in a home defeat to Crystal Palace in February 2025<\/a>, before it was eventually decided he would have to compete with Bruno Fernandes for minutes in a deeper midfield role.<\/p>\n Reflecting on the difficult first half of his season, Mainoo told reporters: “I mean, obviously there were difficult times but I tried to keep my focus on what was in front of me, take things day by day and just keep working my craft, keep working hard for the team, and I hoped the rest would come. Thankfully it has.”<\/p>\n Get MEN Premium now for just \u00a31 HERE<\/a> \u2013 or get involved in our United WhatsApp group by clicking HERE<\/a>. You can also join our United Facebook page by clicking HERE<\/a> and don’t miss out on our brilliant selection of newsletters HERE.<\/a><\/p>\n Michael Carrick<\/a>, who initially replaced Amorim in the hot seat on a short\u2011term deal until the end of last season, immediately restored the midfielder to the starting XI. Mainoo’s form in the second half of the campaign was so strong it earned him a place in England’s World Cup<\/a> squad.<\/p>\n But things could have looked very different had Amorim stayed in charge at Old Trafford<\/a>. Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast on Netflix<\/a>, Maguire was asked whether he was baffled by how Mainoo was handled under the Portuguese coach.<\/p>\n “Yeah, I think it all stemmed out of that we played a formation where there was two [in central midfield] and he wanted Bruno to be one of those two,” Maguire explained. “And then I think he wanted a real defensive one alongside Bruno and at the time Kobbie was young, inexperienced and probably didn’t know the position as well.<\/p>\n “But listen, if Ruben was still the manager now, Kobbie would have probably been shifted on and be looking for a new club but he’s turned things around, credit to him. It would have been a mistake because he’s a Manchester lad, he’s come through the academy and we want them players in our club to drive the club forward for the next 10 years. And hopefully he is at the club for the next 10 years because he has the ability to do so.”<\/p>\n Thousands of Man United fans upgraded their matchday last season. This is how they did it.<\/p>\n This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more<\/a> Various Prices<\/p>\n Seat Unique<\/p>\n Buy official packages at Seat Unique<\/a><\/p>\n Official premium experiences at Old Trafford are available now for the 26\/27 Premier League season. Make it easier than ever to turn a regular fixture into something genuinely unforgettable.<\/p>\n![\"Content](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/0_Untitled-June-03-2026-at-091411-8jpeg.jpg\"\/)
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