Ruben Amorim defended his decision to continually leave midfielder Kobbie Mainoo out of his Manchester United team ahead of facing Wolves on Monday.
Mainoo has been limited to just 171 minutes of Premier League football so far in 2025-26, with all nine of his top-flight appearances coming from the bench.
The 20-year-old has also been an unused substitute four times this season, the latest of which came as the Red Devils drew 1-1 with West Ham in the league on Thursday.
It has been a fall from grace for Mainoo, who started 23 of the 38 matches he featured in last term across all competitions, 16 of which came under Amorim.
He also started England's Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain, but Amorim insisted that just because Mainoo had been a regular for the Three Lions, that did not mean he would be a guaranteed pick for United.
"I understand what you are saying," Amorim said. "You love Kobbie, he starts for England.
"But that doesn't mean that I need to put Kobbie [in] when I feel that I shouldn't put Kobbie [in], so it's my decision."
Reports have suggested that Mainoo is keen to secure a loan move away from Old Trafford in January, with a switch to Serie A side Napoli a possible destination.
Indeed, he could follow in the footsteps of former team-mate Scott McTominay, who starred during his first season in the top-flight for Antonio Conte's Scudetto winners.
"I just want to win. I try to put the players, I don't see who it is, I don't care about that, I'm just trying to put the best players on the pitch," Amorim said.
"You have [Manuel] Ugarte, who played two games.
"One of them, Case [Casemiro], was out, Bruno [Fernandes], he's always fit, he's the guy that is doing his position, so maybe it has to do with that."
The possibility of that move being blocked is high, though, given United lose Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo when the Africa Cup of Nations starts later this month.
"It's the same question. I don't know what is going to happen," Amorim added when asked about the potential for more game time for Mainoo over the Christmas period.
"It depends. I've seen the training. If it's the best thing for the team, I will put [him in], that is the only way I know how to respond to that."
rafaeljoel
0
sometimes it's hard to defend this clueless coach raises our hopes and pours water on it which kind of rubbish is this
fooabclmot
0
let the coach do his job guys how many times maino given chance to proof himself ??even if 15minutes he was supposed to show that he can do the job with that few minutes but you can't wait for full 90 minutes then you can show ur skill that's nonsense.if maino want to play he must work hard at training ground and when he got a chance to play,he must show again his absence to the team and make the team win the game that's what we want to see.
Cacdmnrsz
0
you are not getting results but you still stick to same tactics and formation stubborn coach
Keebelnoy
0
Arrogant Amorim
QueriisFiasi
0
I think Amorim is disappointing in the aspect of his man management. He doesn't know how to keep his fringe players motivated. It is a dangerous game to play, seen that it is such a long season and he will need the whole squad to be on their toes and ready to deliver whenever they are called upon. But his actions and words demotivate those that don't make the starting 11. It begs the question: how will he handle the situation if injuries to his trusted 11 and the African Cup of Natiins require him to delve deep into his squad?
kolonegooner
0
WoW, can't believe how far Kobii has dropped in his vision.... there must be more to this. the kid played last term n Casemiro was benched, now Case always plays. wOw
yeeceprtz
0
Foolish, you've changed several coaches, stop crying, let the guy work
zupertuz
0
Useless. Mainoo would have been a better midfield option had you built his confidence.
yuhilmptuz
0
Amorin is stupid coach that's all
muhceilrst
0
sometimes just admit your so defending decisions has cost the club so many points,we can't continue like this anymore, losing against Westam was all your clueless decision with subs
makenziefoster33
0
mainoo to Leeds here it has to happen
Nucabdisu
1
sack this clown if unable to win 2 goal margin against wolves !! unacceptable even draw!
Pizceimsz
0
Amorin favour Dalot...he can't play on the left side
melvinsweet
0
i trust your process just hope your process trust you..give d boy a fighting chance ..he needs to b seen too
Pizceimsz
1
don't worry bro...if My lose to wolves..Amorin will get sexxx..
Bokcelmopt
1
Bokcelmopt
1
venbinopuz
1
Amorim, you are not building the boy. Why are you so stubborn. You main you don't see good talent in Mainoo?
Fasaelmru
2
Useless
Everblessed10
2
Don’t worry you’re taking Man Utd in the opposite direction because 2 steps forward and 10 steps backwards you’re a useless coach but United is useless club that has been now holding up based on history
Vatckrtuyz
1
Amorin is a stupid and useless coach
pecadeptu
3
Very very useless coach
Himbcmp
1
Amorim you definitely destroying our youth talent at Manu…you’re a motherfuck
Jace111
4
To be honest. I have this doubts about amorin before man utd hire him.. the management should have given van nistelroy the chance and time. I can bet man utd would have been doing better than this
Lebilmopst
2
then you are too stupid to choose Ugarte over him!! and this your stupidity and untactical experience, cost us drew West Ham United, for only your nonsense substitutions United had suffered a lot during your reign!! the most egoid United coach of all time.
ImoukhuedeGeorge
2
It’s my decision looks tough decision that is not winning us game is that a good decision? Nonsense decision
Nodemotyz
3
This coach must go Mann
Tocilostyz
2
Amorim you are clueless coach
Rmulbah1992
3
AMORIM DECISIONS ARE ALWAYS RAINY, BUT ANYWAY, LET ME WATCH AND SEE.
vedbdlptuz
1
Amorin doesn't like Kobbei Maino. The guy should look for other club. Cuha he bought from Wolve, what is playing.
Jezaeklnoz
1
can you imagine
Dohalmnotu
2
keep digging your grave amorim who cares
kohblmnoy
2
Plz this coach must be saked now before it's too late he's too tiny to manage Man u job
Yannrtuyz
5
Useless coach very sad for kobbie young lad wit great talent on the bench not playing n other young star heaven, fletcher brothers,Lacey,amass etc... honestly dnt see a gud future wit amorim wit his tactics n attitude
nuscdmopuy
2
Man U is used to losing
hosmnptz
4
He is the luckiest manager in the world.
Wizprince11
4
Keep defending Amorim until you end up with 14 again this season you will know the last time Wolverhampton beat Manchester United they're not in form they use Manchester United pick the form the decline then relegation now we're going to meet again without form so I pray it's not what I'm thinking
feybilpst
2
this coach must be sacked
Lipdekrz
2
by this time this coach should've been out
nawaklryz
0
stupid coach
Lipdekrz
2
I don't know if the owner of mu is related to the coach
Lipdekrz
2
I don't know why will you keep fresh n young player on the bench like Maino
pehcinsz
2
Amorim is below average coach, who holds no future for Man.Utd. He's destroying the future of this club...
Lipdekrz
2
this mu coach is very lucky to reach this far while still coaching mu
Vakamoryz
2
sack amorim ,he is arrogant
wincdert
0
very stupid coach.
don't say he know his best way
Miwceopry
2
They should sack this damn coach
Vicsammy
3
Bruno is doing his position but you’re scared of substituting him for Maino, you’re not a brave coach but coward and it takes a brave manager with a brave decision to succeed in a footbal club especially in Manchester United, Bruno is not a robot so you can always remove him and bring in fresh legs like Maino stop acting as if he is untouchable mf.
Meuabmstuy
2
very stupid coach.
cotabiknty
2
useless Coach you will never win any trophy