Ruben Amorim believes that Kobbie Mainoo is the future of Manchester United, but explained that the out-of-favour midfielder may have to wait for his chance to prove it.
Mainoo's game time has been limited this season, making just 12 appearances in all competitions for the Red Devils, with only one of those coming in Amorim's starting line-up.
In the Premier League, he has managed to play just 212 minutes of football, and he has been an unused substitute four times in the top flight in 2025-26.
The 20-year-old was told to "fight for his job" by Amorim, only for a calf injury to rule him out of United's 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa, with Mainoo now set for a spell on the sidelines.
It has been a fall from grace for Mainoo, who started 23 of the 38 matches he featured in last term across all competitions, with his latest setback coming at a time when Amorim's squad is depleted with injuries and players on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations.
"Kobbie Mainoo will have the opportunity he has all the time. He played in different positions," Amorim said.
"He can do that [defensive midfield] position, he can play if we play with three, he can play like we played in the last game, the position of Mason Mount in this game.
"So, he's going to be the future of Manchester United, that is my feeling. He just needs to wait for his chance and everything could change in football in two days."
Reports had suggested that Mainoo would look to leave the club in January in search of more playing time, something Amorim said would only happen if the club could source an adequate replacement next month.
"If we are not getting someone, it is hard to leave," Amorim added.
"Even with a full squad, we are short [in terms of players] for something that can happen here so it's going to be hard for someone to leave the club if we don't get a substitution."
Mainoo joins Matthijs de Ligt, Harry Maguire and captain Bruno Fernandes on the injury table, while Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui are all at AFCON.
Amorim has identified United's midfield as a key area to strengthen, while he was also on hand to address Casemiro and Maguire's futures at Old Trafford.
The pair will see their contracts come to an end following the conclusion of the 2025-26 campaign.
"There is no decision," Amorim said. "We have a lot to do, and we need to understand what is going to happen next season, because we need to understand if there are European games what we are doing.
"We have so much to do in this moment. We are not thinking about that. I am really happy with them but I don't know what is going to happen."
The United boss did, however, insist he would not be disappointed if reinforcements did not arrive next month.
"No. Of course, we are struggling in this in this moment, but throughout the club we have a plan," he said ahead of the visit of Newcastle United.
"We are going to stick with the plan. I think if we have the opportunity to bring in a player that we think is going to be the future of the club, he is going to come.
"If not, we have Jack [Fletcher], we have Shea Lacey and in three weeks, we'll have Amad, Nous [Mazraoui], Bryan [Mbeumo]. Return of Bruno [Fernandes], Kobbie Mainoo."
docbcdeimt
0
I think mainooo have to train hard a fight for his jersey, he deserves to be a man u player
android-miaw
0
give the boy a chance. a few games to prove himself. he can't do anything with just less than 10 minutes to play on. Bruno cannot play all the games.
lbcrna
0
if you don't follow football, you should stop commenting on football. MAINOO is injured
as of today go and check united official website mainoo's name is not among the list of players with injury
lbcrna
0
the moment some people started calling him the future of Manchester united midfield the entitlement mentality started .....instead of seeing it as a previlega playing for united the boy started misbehaving thinking he is so special and talented boy .
KasongoWaKenya
0
Sign him please We need people taking off our garbages
You also clueless like your fellow. Is Mainoo useless to you. Why don't you guys have some little sense of thinking.
gallasyommy
1
Stupid coach, now you want to lie to the boy to obstruct him from going on loan.
Sign him please We need people taking off our garbages
Buwbemopyz
0
we all knew he doesn't like him. why this cheaper excuses?
Buwbemopyz
0
But where is maino don’t spoiled that boy career please let him go to the club that much better and know how to encourage players like arsenal or man city
is that way he never started a game? is it because he is injured? c-mon topy, we are not stupid. we knew he doesn't like him.
Buwbemopyz
0
you hate the boy you baby coach
codbcdersu
0
Nah lie
Temesa
2
if you don't follow football, you should stop commenting on football. MAINOO is injured
Wilz001
1
But where is maino don’t spoiled that boy career please let him go to the club that much better and know how to encourage players like arsenal or man city
Kitaclo
0
not even on the bench
KasongoWaKenya
0
Bruno is injured, why would we send him on loan? Are you stupid, simple or slow?
My friend you lack intelligence and if you remain this naive your A$$ will be gourged out by other boys. Did you see Mainoo in the lineup or on the bench
KasongoWaKenya
0
Bruno is injured, why would we send him on loan? Are you stupid, simple or slow?
Noo its your m@m who's stupid.
vuaabdipu
0
At least you get one thing right Mr Amorim
Hapenrsty
0
a liar has spoken!!
LEAMZZI
1
He is the future in the bench. Mainoo should leave.
yupbcoruz
0
Stupid coach, now you want to lie to the boy to obstruct him from going on loan.
Bruno is injured, why would we send him on loan? Are you stupid, simple or slow?
yupbcoruz
0
That's a lie, just to attract his fans to not to turn back on him...!!
Ur a Chelsea fan, why would you care? Oh he’s black so you back him for no reason. I swear blacks are the most racist people in the world. Claim when they are good and shun when they don’t fit the narrative
Elishaphiri
3
Lying has become cheap nowadays how?
☆Adithyasharma☆
4
That's a lie, just to attract his fans to not to turn back on him...!!
Janeinotu
0
don't sell this guy!!
KasongoWaKenya
4
Stupid coach, now you want to lie to the boy to obstruct him from going on loan.
Wimaemstz
1
please Kobbie mainoo today must played
Wimaemstz
1
in this formation you have too use two defensive midfielders, and this formation requires alot of work on and off the ball, if hope this coach learns b4 it's too late for our season
[image]
👍
febaclmno
1
How can future of the club sitting on bench
viwbelptuy
0
Nonsense........you deliberately condemn the player to the bench and still have the effrontery to spew garbage.
UjoAbx
0
now mainoo and fernandes don't want to play for you, what's wrong with your plan
cubabcilst
1
Then integrate him in your lineup
Fidcelmop
4
in this formation you have too use two defensive midfielders, and this formation requires alot of work on and off the ball, if hope this coach learns b4 it's too late for our season
Voyabdiptu
2
which future?
Zemabisyz
2
A perfect example of a coach destroying the future of young players is Amorim, the stubborn coach who refuses to adaptation to anything new but necessay.
racklnsuy
2
That's because his brother staged a stadium protest!