Manchester United got back to winning ways with a confidence-inducing 2-1 win away at Crystal Palace, but what Kobbie Mainoo did just before coming on during the game isn’t rosy.
An away win at Crystal Palace is nothing to sweep under the rug at Man Utd, having not won at Selhurst Park since 2020 before this game.
Therefore, the 2-1 win, which takes Man Utd to European qualification spots in the table, is a huge boost, with Ruben Amorim also receiving a boost for the next game in the process.
However, amidst all these nice developments, one can forgive Man Utd fans for having deja vu after seeing what Kobbie Mainoo did just before coming on vs Palace.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty ImagesKobbie Mainoo’s sombre mood vs Palace
It’s expected by now, but once again, Mainoo found himself on the bench against Palace, with the player yet to start a league game this season.
At least he played the full second half against Everton, because against Palace, he was used as an injury time sub to kill some minutes near the end of the game.
Eagle-eyed Man Utd fans spotted Mainoo making no effort to hide his displeasure at the state of developments, with the player sporting a sombre face.
Push comes to shove: Would you rather have Kobbie Mainoo stay at Man Utd or Ruben Amorim? 
Credit: James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
After watching the clip above, Man Utd fans reached a point of acceptance on X, urging him to leave Old Trafford for his own good.
Some shared their worst-case scenario of Mainoo leaving because of frustration at a lack of minutes, only for the club to sack Ruben Amorim eventually.
Perhaps the most worrying thing about Mainoo’s mood is that the last time a player looked like this on the sidelines, his manager at the time, Erik ten Hag, fell on the sword.
Erik ten Hag was sacrificed for his treatment of Amad
It’s Mainoo now, but fans will have deja vu after seeing this expression because Amad was in the exact same state under Erik ten Hag.
It was October 24, 2024, and United were away to Fenerbahce in the Champions League.
Amad, as always, started on the bench under Ten Hag despite the Dutchman playing Noussair Mazraoui as an attacking midfielder.
The humiliation for Amad didn’t stop there, as Antony came on before him in the 73rd minute, but picked up an injury soon after.
What Paul Scholes said about Man Utd selling Kobbie Mainoo
“It’s ridiculous. He’s United’s brightest spark.
“He’s probably the leading man who could be here for the next five to 10 years.”
Paul Scholes in early 2025
And so, in the 89th minute, Amad finally made his way to the pitch, and the glum expression he sported on the sidelines just before coming on came to represent Ten Hag’s flailing tenure.
He would be sacked less than a week later, and Amad started flying under Ruud van Nistelrooy, then Ruben Amorim.
In Mainoo’s case, the resolution won’t be as quick, but considering Sir Jim Ratcliffe personally stepped in to stop him from moving in the summer window, Amorim must tread carefully.
This is not player power winning against a manager. It’s a case of a manager wasting a generational talent despite not getting good results with the players he is selecting.