Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has been accused of 'overlooking' a current member of his squad because of a 'personal' issue by a former Red Devils player.
Amorim continues to come under scrutiny over his role at the club, having struggled to make am impression since replacing Erik ten Hag as boss last season.
United are 10th in the Premier League table, but beat Sunderland 2-0 last time out to earn a reprieve having suffered a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Brentford the week prior.
Still, United owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has publicly backed Amorim, pointing to the fact that some managers take time to make an impression and that he intends to give the Portuguese just that in the hope that he will prove to be one of those cases.
That could be bad news for one star in particular. Kobbie Mainoo, a key figure under Erik ten Hag and also Gareth Southgate in the back-end of his England reign, has struggled for game time under Amorim so far.
And there is a reason for that, according to former United defender Paul Parker. Parker has claimed that the lack of game time is nothing to do with the midfielder's footballing ability - but rather his relationship with Amorim.
'We have to ask why Mainoo hasn't been used in that midfield,' Parker said, speaking to MyBettingSites.co.uk. 'Somewhere along the line because I've been looking at it, it has to be personal. It has to be personal and the truth has to be told somewhere.
'He doesn't like him or he doesn't like him as a player. It doesn't make any sense at all. You don't have to fall into the trap of playing a local boy because he's a local boy. But sometimes when you look at the quality of the player, he went to the Euros and played more football than he or fans expected and he did very well.'
Mainoo has played just 113 minutes in the Premier League this season. He has made just one start, which came in the Carabao Cup defeat by League Two Grimsby.
After playing him in more advanced roles last season, Amorim suggested this term that the 20-year-old is in direct competition with Bruno Fernandes for his spot - a potential explanation for his lack of minutes.
'There's a talent there that's not being utilised,' Parker continued. 'It just doesn't make sense.
'Don't call every player elite but Mainoo is a very good player who can play in any position across the Man Utd midfield. He's a good runner, get him in and around the box. You ask him to sit in midfield and hold, he can do the job and fill space and stop passes from going through.
'If you ask him to bite, kick and scratch, that's not really him. Football's not like that anymore cause if it was Mainoo would have struggled a bit. In today's game, he's perfect.'
jiaciopuz
1
Mainoo ad Bruno , Casamiro must start the game of tomorrow
Lovebug2
0
You are Man United are all dumbs are so foolish! If u all think he is too slow and all that, why didn’t your club santinoned this boy loan move away from this dead club? This was the same way u all fools complained about Mctomina and Anthony and they are both stars player t their respective clubs. Very very useless club with useless fans all over the world! For your information, I won’t view any of your replies under my comment. Bastard and asshole man United fans 🤣
That was too deep 🤣🤣🤣
siwcklouyz
0
So, you are arrogant in preps but perform mid in your class and you blame the teacher for not including you in his class 😂😂😂
wiabcersy
3
now everyone can see Amorim is the problem and not the players
Maubcptuyz
0
Stop being a problem to our team,making noise about everything United does!,we sell news 📰 well,we make pple popular with our brand!,a lot of haters find friendship through debating about United
feybilpst
0
This coach, Amorim is too childish because he equates his mental maturity adolescents like mainoo, Garnacho etc. He kills the team by not fielding a player because he has issues with Him. Amorim is too emotional and lacks maturity that his age bracket commands. Well, he has succeeded in sending all the good players of man utd away last summer window except mainoo. He deceived mainoo and this show his insincerity and immaturity. Amorim should be sacked immediately.
oh yes he must be sacked
feybilpst
2
is not good enough for the club. and he won't make success at the club but to destroy the club. Jim Radcliffe is stupid fool back up Amorim which will be big mistake for the club
Jebabcdy
2
but no be play ooo this koby mainno no dey smile at all
Sadmnops
1
This coach, Amorim is too childish because he equates his mental maturity adolescents like mainoo, Garnacho etc. He kills the team by not fielding a player because he has issues with Him. Amorim is too emotional and lacks maturity that his age bracket commands. Well, he has succeeded in sending all the good players of man utd away last summer window except mainoo. He deceived mainoo and this show his insincerity and immaturity. Amorim should be sacked immediately.
BobbySaGE
0
I don’t see why we are still keeping this Amorim.
Nooabknpty
2
Always issue with the players stupid bad Coach
Nooabknpty
0
please let mainoo play why should the coach have issues with the boy
Cause he is a bad hater and don't be even surprised if have issue with Martinez coming back.
ShaneDoe
0
This is a very poor opinion on so many levels🤦
Diaeklmopu
2
for u to insult all Man U fans, am very sure ur birth months was not complete.
ainyakin84
0
my dearly pundit I conquer with your analysis you're very good analyzer Parker I said something that rouses my mind up to when will this kind of a situation go in Carrington I believe Ratcliffe has bought this club the purpose of destroy it not to make success that's why they are together with the Amorim to break the club down but we shall discover this vector called ratcliffe
JorgeJamaika
0
You don't compare Maino and Bruno, Maino is very far than Bruno nxa Amorin you're destroying our boy 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
No Bruno is better than Mainoo but they don't play the same position Bruno is an attacking midfielder, Mainoo is a central midfielder why do this baby coach say that Bruno and Mainoo plays the same position when Ten Hag used to play all of them on the same pitch at the same time, he talks like that b'se he has spoiled Bruno playing him as a deep midfielder. I hate this guy
Zuucemos
0
What do Parker mean by he's a good runner?.......Mainoo just doing suits Amorim's system, he's probably the slowest player on planet earth even Palmer is quicker
Lol please and please Palmer is a flash compared to him
Jomacdkor
2
You don't compare Maino and Bruno, Maino is very far than Bruno nxa Amorin you're destroying our boy 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
Lopbeklyz
1
I thought Paul Parker has the real story, ahh, he is also just speculating. wow.
vicabdeipy
5
please let mainoo play why should the coach have issues with the boy
vuobdln
3
For some reason, MU has had the most coach-player personal issues in the last 10 years. We haven’t heard any misconduct or misbehavior from Mainoo. He is being wasted at United. He should find another club in January to save his chances of playing for England at WC because Tuchel will call him up.
bin77
2
This problem is something to worry about in Manchester United. always coach with his players having issues that can't be solved within themselves without any outsiders hearing about it.
Vicsammy
1
Mainoo is a good player but can he do the job of Casemiro or Bruno at the moment, I’m not sure 🤔
Barongagz02
2
You are Man United are all dumbs are so foolish! If u all think he is too slow and all that, why didn’t your club santinoned this boy loan move away from this dead club? This was the same way u all fools complained about Mctomina and Anthony and they are both stars player t their respective clubs. Very very useless club with useless fans all over the world! For your information, I won’t view any of your replies under my comment. Bastard and asshole man United fans 🤣
Ratortuz
3
man u will win Champions league
wahcmnuyz
2
Mainoo, is slow, likewise his transitions. He shot himself when he came out saying he wants to leave. Even if he didn't do wrong by requesting to leave. Amorim already classifies him as the new bomb squad member. I already saw this coming last season.
jaybcklpyz
1
he is too slow
Niccdortu
1
With fans and pundits demanding results every game there is no time for slow and lazy players like Mainoo in this team. That era of players guaranteed positions because they had one great season years ago will not cut it.
adedefender
1
Mainoo is very slow.
cuceiklmot
2
He probably be watching another mainoo and not the one we all know. Dude is slow both iq, runs, body movement and little details
EmeraldJ
4
I've wondered this too... But what do I know kwanu?
Shedda Ranking
2
What do Parker mean by he's a good runner?.......Mainoo just doing suits Amorim's system, he's probably the slowest player on planet earth even Palmer is quicker