Ruben Amorim sends Kobbie Mainoo clear message as United transfer stance emerges

Kobbie Mainoo failed to appear in Manchester United's first two games of the new season and it's been reported that the midfielder is open to leaving before transfer deadline day

Ruben Amorim has insisted that there'll be 'plenty of matches' for Kobbie Mainoo if he elects to stay at Manchester United. Mainoo, 20, has been rooted to the bench so far this season, failing to feature in either of the Red Devils' first two games.

The midfielder was an unused substitute as United began the new campaign with a 1-0 loss against Arsenal before Amorim once again left him on the bench during Sunday's 1-1 draw away to Fulham. Team-mates Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro have been preferred in midfield, with Manuel Ugarte and Mason Mount also used.

Mainoo's future has been plunged into uncertainty as a result of his absence, with it now emerging that the 20-year-old is willing to leave Old Trafford before the summer transfer window closes next Monday. The Red Devils also aren't ruling out his sale after failing to agree a new contract with Mainoo's representatives in recent months.

The 10-time England international has two years left on his current deal at Old Trafford which he signed shortly after breaking into United's first-team squad in February 2023. Amorim's reluctance to use Mainoo, however, has thrust his immediate future into the spotlight.

Mainoo could finally be handed a start when United begin their Carabao Cup campaign away to Grimsby Town on Wednesday. Ahead of the second-round tie, Amorim insisted that players must 'fight for the places' in his team but reiterated that opportunities 'for everybody' will come.

"They just need to fight for the places, and then everything can change," the Red Devils boss, who held his pre-Grimsby news conference after the Fulham game, said.

"Sometimes one is playing, in other moments, other guys are going to play, and we have the cups, so we’re going to have a lot of games for everybody."

It'd certainly raise more questions if Mainoo doesn't feature against League Two opposition. As the Red Devils return to Premier League action on Saturday at home to Burnley in their final game before the international break, Amorim is expected to name a much-changed XI for the trip to Grimsby.

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"We have three games this week, we have quality players, and we need to do rotation to try to win every game," the United manager added. "All the players are available. Then we will make the choice to get the best starting XI to win every game."

Mainoo will be hoping to seize any opportunity and make a late push to be included in Thomas Tuchel's England squad for two World Cup qualifiers. The Three Lions face Andorra at Villa Park on Saturday, September 6 before making the journey to Serbia three days later.