Kobbie Mainoo's Resurgence Under Michael Carrick Exposes Ruben Amorim’s Failures at Manchester United
Former Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has been told that Kobbie Mainoo's form is 'very embarrassing' for him after failing to get the best out of the England midfielder when he was in charge at Old Trafford. Mainoo has shined under new boss Michael Carrick, raising questions about Amorim's management during his short-lived tenure. Let's delve deeper into the contrast between their approaches and Mainoo's recent performances.

Former Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has been told that Kobbie Mainoo's form is 'very embarrassing' for him after failing to get the best out of the England midfielder when he was in charge at Old Trafford. Mainoo made only a handful of appearances this season with Amorim in the dugout, but has started all four of United's wins under new boss Michael Carrick.Amorim's underwhelming stint as United boss came to an end early on in January. Despite improving the team's form this season, he was sacked after seemingly taking on the board over his job title.Following a 1-1 draw at Leeds, Amorim said: "To start with that, I noticed that you received selective information about everything. I came here to be the manager of Manchester United, not to be the coach of Manchester United. And that is clear. I know that my name is not [Thomas] Tuchel, it’s not [Antonio] Conte, it’s not [Jose] Mourinho but I’m the manager of Manchester United. And it’s going to be like this for 18 months or when the board decides to change. That was my point. I want to finish with that. I’m not going to quit. I will do my job until another guy is coming here to replace me."During Amorim's 14 months at the helm, United recorded their lowest-ever Premier League finish of 15th, lost to Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final and he became derided for his comments lambasting his Red Devils group as 'maybe the worst' in the club's history.Amorim was also heavily criticised for his deployment of academy product Mainoo, who became a key starter under predecessor Erik ten Hag but couldn't nail down a place in the Portuguese's demanding 3-4-3 system. But the 20-year-old has found his best form again in recent weeks, and after impressing in Saturday's 2-0 win against Spurs, Ian Wright took the opportunity to praise Mainoo and lay into Amorim."Everybody was confused with what was happening under Ruben Amorim," Wright said on Premier League World. "When you look at [Mainoo], someone who's not played, coming into a Man United side that's not in great form. To play in that midfield which is where all the questions have been around... just the quality."You're listening to Bruno [Fernandes] saying they've been given the freedom to express themselves because they're good players. And Kobbie is a very, very good player. I'm just pleased we're seeing that now."I think it's very embarrassing for Ruben Amorim if we're going to be totally honest. Because what we seen was a Man United youth product not given the opportunity to play and very, very close to leaving the club."[Mainoo] was brilliant today. Magnificent today."Looking for smarter football bets? Get expert previews, data-driven predictions & winning insights with GOAL Tips on Telegram. Join our growing community now!Due to his feud with Amorim, Mainoo wanted to leave United. In the final week of the summer 2025 transfer window, the midfielder asked to be loaned out, aware that clubs such as Napoli, where fellow academy product Scott McTominay is thriving, were interested in his services. A move to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona never materialised, though reports have suggested Mainoo would have pushed for a January exit too had Amorim remained in post but he will now sign a new contract with United.Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingMainoo and the Red Devils return to action on Tuesday with a trip to relegation-battling West Ham United, with Carrick looking to record his fifth win on the spin as head coach.In the longer term, there is also buzz that Mainoo could return to the England fold in time for the World Cup this summer. He has been capped ten times by the Three Lions but hasn't represented his country since September 2024 - one month before Thomas Tuchel was unveiled as the team's permanent successor to popular head coach Gareth Southgate.
Ruben Amorim's Contentious Tenure at Manchester United
Ruben Amorim's time at Manchester United was turbulent, marked by controversies and poor results. Despite his efforts to improve the team's form, he faced challenges with player management and tactical decisions. One key point of criticism was his handling of academy product Kobbie Mainoo, who struggled to secure a spot in Amorim's preferred system.
Kobbie Mainoo's Redemption Under Michael Carrick
Since Michael Carrick took charge, Kobbie Mainoo has experienced a remarkable revival. From a fringe player under Amorim to a vital component in Carrick's line-up, Mainoo's resurgence highlights the stark difference in how the two managers utilized his talents. His recent performances have drawn praise and raised eyebrows about why he was underutilized before.
Criticism of Ruben Amorim's Management
Various pundits and observers have criticized Ruben Amorim for his treatment of Kobbie Mainoo and his overall management style at United. The contrast between Mainoo's limited opportunities under Amorim and his flourishing form under Carrick reflects poorly on the former boss. Amorim's tenure may be remembered more for missed potential and player discontent than for any notable achievements.
Looking Ahead: Mainoo's Future and England Prospects
As Kobbie Mainoo shines under Michael Carrick, the spotlight shifts to his future at Manchester United and potential involvement with the England national team. Despite previous concerns about leaving the club, Mainoo's new contract signals a fresh start. With rumors swirling about a return to the England squad for the upcoming World Cup, his resurgence could lead to exciting opportunities on the international stage.






