The Free Kobbie Mainoo campaign is embarrassing
Kobbie Mainoo's brother showed up at Old Trafford on Monday night wearing a "Free Kobbie Mainoo" t-shirt that's since gone viral. That's the exact wrong approach to a 20-year-old midfielder who's struggling to get minutes under Ruben Amorim. According to Sky Sports News, Manchester United will only consider selling Mainoo in January if they receive an exceptional offer, and the club has no interest in a loan move either. Multiple Premier League clubs want him, but few can actually afford a permanent deal.
Here's the reality: Mainoo hasn't started a Premier League game this season. He came off the bench against Bournemouth to loud cheers from United fans, but he's been on the fringes since Amorim arrived. His longest appearance was playing the second half against Burnley in August. His only 90-minute outing came in the Carabao Cup disaster at Grimsby Town. For a player who started England's Euro 2024 final in Berlin and was a regular under Erik ten Hag, that's a brutal fall from grace.
Amorim's system only has room for two midfielders
Amorim has been crystal clear about why Mainoo isn't playing: "We play with two midfielders. We could change in the future but Kobbie Mainoo is playing in the same position as Bruno Fernandes and sometimes it's really hard to take Bruno Fernandes out of the team and that is the only reason." When asked if he rates Mainoo, Amorim said: "Of course. Like everyone else."
That's not a knock on Mainoo's talent—it's tactical reality. Amorim's 3-4-3 uses two central midfielders, and Bruno Fernandes is the captain who creates everything for United's attack. Mainoo is competing with a 30-year-old who's proven he can produce in this league for years. If you're 20 and can't get past Bruno for playing time, that's not the manager being unfair—that's you needing to prove you're better than an established star.
Roy Keane nailed it with his advice
Roy Keane spoke on the Stick to Football podcast and delivered the exact message Mainoo needs to hear: "Are you telling me he can't sit there for another six months? He might think the manager might be gone in the summer, one or two of the senior players might be gone. He's 20 years of age, what's wrong with sitting and learning your trade?"
Keane continued: "Sometimes a manager is on your case and what you have to do is look at a manager and go 'I'll prove you wrong'. Every day is your challenge to prove to the manager and when that manager is picking the team I'm going to train like a beast." That's the mentality that separates elite players from good ones. You don't sulk when you're not starting at 20—you work harder until the manager can't ignore you.
Keane also called out the t-shirt stunt: "When he's got his idiot of a brother doing all that… we shouldn't even be giving his brother the time of day. Sometimes you're just surrounded by idiots, especially the families." Harsh but accurate. Having your family publicly campaign for playing time makes you look entitled, not determined.
A loan makes zero financial sense for United
Sky Sports News reports that United's hierarchy sees no reason to loan Mainoo out. He came through the academy, so his wages are modest compared to other first-teamers. There's no financial incentive to have another club cover his salary. Plus, if he goes on loan, United would need to replace him with a midfielder who'd cost more and know the system less. That's terrible business.
United want Mainoo to stay because they believe he'll improve with age. He remains part of Amorim's plans, even if he's not starting right now. The club's position is clear: they're not selling unless someone offers stupid money, and they're not loaning him because it makes no sense operationally or financially.
What Mainoo should actually do
Mainoo won his last England cap in September 2024 and hasn't featured under new manager Thomas Tuchel. With the World Cup next summer, he needs playing time to stay in international contention. But demanding a move at 20 when you're competing with Bruno Fernandes is shortsighted. Bruno could leave next summer. Amorim might tweak his system. Injuries happen. If Mainoo trains like he deserves to start and proves he's better than the alternatives, he'll get his chance.
The worst thing he can do is sulk, have his family wage social media campaigns, and force a move because he's not starting immediately under a new manager. That's weak mentality. Champions fight for their place. They make it impossible for the manager to leave them out. Mainoo was good enough to start a European Championship final at 19. He's talented. But talent without the right mentality gets you nowhere. He needs to prove Amorim wrong, not run away because it's hard.