Koby Mainu has yet to start a Premier League game this season and Ruben Amorim has made his position on the youngster’s future at Old Trafford clear
Manager Ruben Amorim has urged Koby Mainu to stay at Manchester United and “fight for his job”, citing Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo as examples of players who endured periods on the bench before cementing their legacy at Old Trafford.
The academy product is yet to start a Premier League game this season and could depart on loan in January, with Napoli leading the list of clubs interested in signing him. But Amorim hopes the youngster will stay and prove himself rather than seek opportunities elsewhere.
The manager has criticized club legends for hinting at Maynou’s departure, and now he has sent a direct message to the 20-year-old, who is unhappy with his limited opportunities, and has become something of a rallying point for supporters keen to see more chances given to the homegrown talent.
“Coby needs to fight for his job. I don’t think it’s a bad thing to be on the Manchester United bench at 20 years old,” Amorim explained. “I remember Ronaldo was on the bench, Rooney was sometimes on the bench,[Juan Sebastian]Veron wasn’t playing.
“I remember all the history of Manchester United, but I don’t remember anyone. So let’s keep trying to avoid nonsense and noise. I just want to help the team win. To help Coby become a better player.”
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Amorim made it clear he was not trying to set an example by leaving Maynou on the bench, insisting the big name must earn his place at Old Trafford.
Instead, he wants the midfielder to prove him wrong when given the opportunity. Mainu could be fit for his first league start against Aston Villa on Sunday, with Amorim hinting at a tactical change to the back four that could see him play as one of three central midfielders.
If he is accepted, Amorim encouraged the youngster to channel his frustration into his performance. “I don’t want to say to Kobe, ‘You’re a big player here, let’s put you on the bench to show something,'” he explained.
“No, no. What I’m saying is the opposite. I just don’t use Coby sometimes because I understand he’s not the right guy to start a game. He’ll probably start the next game, Sunday.”
“If he plays well, he’s going to show everyone. If they say, ‘This guy can’t take me off the team,’ I’ll be very happy, so I don’t care. I don’t want to show anyone anything. All I’m saying is, I’m trying to win games and show the players that if you do the right thing, you can play with any name.”
Just a week ago, Amorim indicated that Mainu could apply for a January loan if he wanted. That conversation never materialized, but the Mainoo situation took an interesting turn on Monday when his half-brother Jordan turned up at a Bournemouth game wearing a T-shirt that read ‘Free Coby Mainoo’.
“He’s a shy kid, but that’s not his fault. He’s responsible for his actions and his actions were to play well in the last game. I’m just focused on that,” Amorim said.
“At Sporting (Lisbon) there was a situation where my brother wrote something on the Internet, and I have to answer for that. My explanation is that he has his life, he has his opinion and it doesn’t concern me. So I will do the same for Koby.”
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