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Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo has spoken candidly about his experience under former manager Ruben Amorim, describing how tough it was to not even "come on as a substitute" during certain matches in the Portuguese coach's tenure at Old Trafford.
Despite flourishing under Erik ten Hag, Mainoo quickly fell down the pecking order once Amorim took charge. He not only lost his starting spot but was gradually reduced to barely any minutes — if any at all — in games that were already settled.
Amorim's rigid commitment to his 3-4-2-1 formation left no place for Mainoo, who acknowledged the manager simply didn't see him as a fit for his setup. "When there's new managers, they have their way that they want to play and if they think you don't fit that, then you don't fit that," Mainoo told Sky Sports.
"Going from playing nearly every game to not playing as often is always going to be a difficult adjustment," he added. "It's difficult when you don't even come on as a sub of course. But I'd say my family and my friends helped me see the light at the end of the tunnel. They knew it would swing back my way at some point, so I just had to be patient."
What Mainoo Learned From Man Utd Exile
Rather than venting frustration in his sit-down interview, Mainoo took a composed approach and explained how his spell on the fringes at Old Trafford helped develop both his mindset and physical preparation for the game.
"All I can do is try and work and train to maybe see it in a different light," Mainoo said of his time on the sidelines, during which he leaned on teammates Casemiro and Joshua Zirkzee for support.
"It was good for me in terms of learning [about] myself, the game and patience. How to schedule my life and how I train and how I work and getting into routines."
Mainoo did explore the possibility of leaving Manchester for a fresh start last summer, but the club rejected his request. Even so, the midfielder never truly envisioned himself playing anywhere other than in a red shirt.
"When you're not playing many games, or any games, you consider all things," he said. "But at the forefront of my mind was always to play for Manchester United and continue to play for this club that I've grown up at."
Mainoo's Resurgence Under Michael Carrick Made It All Worth It
When Michael Carrick stepped in as interim manager following Amorim's departure in January, the English coach wasted no time in welcoming Mainoo back into the squad. The 21-year-old reclaimed his natural position alongside Casemiro in United's reinvigorated 4-2-3-1 and reminded everyone of the quality he showed during the club's 2023–24 FA Cup final victory and with England at Euro 2024.
Mainoo's revival ultimately earned him a new contract running until 2031, with a reported salary increase to £150,000 ($202,000) per week. His comeback also helped United rediscover their confidence, as they secured a spot in next season's Champions League while the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea trail behind them in the standings.
Much of that turnaround is credited to Carrick, who is reportedly in discussions to be appointed as United's permanent manager. Mainoo had only glowing words for the 44-year-old.
"He's just helped with everything," Mainoo explained. "On the pitch, he's played the same position as me, so just giving me tips and advice on what to do and even just his management of me as a person, asking about family and stuff.
"You can believe everything that he says because he's been there and he's played for this club. He knows what comes on the football pitch, he knows what happens off it, playing for a club like this. Everything he says is a gem, really."