Former Manchester United stars Rio Ferdinand and Paul Scholes have been at the forefront of criticism of Ruben Amorim after he continued to deny Koby Mainu a starting spot midway through this season.
Rio Ferdinand joined Paul Scholes in criticizing Ruben Amorim’s treatment of Koby Mainu and urging the Manchester United academy graduate to leave the club.
Mainu has endured a tough season at United and has remained a substitute on the bench under Amorim. The United manager has played Casemiro in midfield alongside captain Bruno Fernandes, with Mainu making just 10 substitute appearances in the Premier League.
The 20-year-old midfielder came close to leaving the club in the summer, but is hoping to join Napoli on loan in January in a bid to gain more playing time and aim for a place in England’s World Cup squad.
Mainu played just 12 minutes off the bench in Monday night’s 4-1 win over the Wolves. Despite this, Amorim said he considered Mainu “a starter like any other player”, prompting former United defender Ferdinand to accuse the manager of mistreating Mainu.
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“I saw (Nikki) Batty and (Paul) Scorcy talk about this on their podcast and I totally agree with you,” he said on his YouTube channel. “If you think about it and put yourself in Koby Mainu’s shoes, you just have to get out of there.”
“He played for England and was one of the best players in the competition. Not many people can say they’ve achieved that. He’s just wasted 18 months of his career at Manchester United now.”
“He was probably there six months longer than he should have been. He should have just left and I think his agent and most of all the family around him have to protect him.”
He added: “He may be saying, ‘I love Manchester United too much and I want to stay and fight.’ But it’s been two years this summer. You can’t lose two years in your career. Careers are short and you have to make the decision that’s best for you.”
“If I were him, the coach would say he’s not going to play me now. If you haven’t played me in the previous games, you’re not going to play me now. Let’s be honest with each other. I don’t meet your expectations. Get me out of here.”
Ferdinand’s words follow those of former teammate Paul Scholes, who condemned Amorim and Mainu’s approach. In response to Amorim calling the midfielder a starter, Scholes wrote on Instagram: “Bulls***.” “This kid is ruined by not being allowed to play for a team that can’t control the game of football. I hate to see homegrown players leave, but this is probably the best thing for him right now. Enough is enough.”
Speaking on The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast, he added: “Ruben Amorim said Koby Mainu was a starter… all his Premier League appearances were as substitutes. That’s what bothers me.”
“If he’s on a good team and they’re winning every week and they’re holding the ball, I don’t care, but they’re trash. Coby’s a 20-year-old kid and he’s not playing. He’s going to have to leave the team. He’s a 20-year-old kid and he’s not playing. He’s going to have to leave.
“Do you know what’s going to happen? Amorim will bring him into the game and he won’t be great, but that’s because he needs regular games. Of course, as a manager, sometimes you don’t like your players. But look at what he’s already achieved: he scored the winner in the FA Cup final, he played every game at the Euros.”
“He’s definitely taking the crap out of Casemiro every day in training and he’s a great player. I don’t know why the club is allowing Amorim to treat a homegrown talent like that.”
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