Koby Mainu has spoken of the “difficult period” he went through under Ruben Amorim at Manchester United before the Portuguese manager was sacked in January
Koby Mainu training with England in Florida (Image: Sky Sports)
Koby Mainu has spoken of the “difficult period” during manager Ruben Amorim’s time at Manchester United. Amorim struggled to adapt Mainu to his tactical set-up and experimented with different roles.
Amorim once tried to put Mainu up front in the home defeat to Crystal Palace. Mainu, 41, ultimately decided he would be competing with Bruno Fernandes for playing time deep in midfield.
Mainu did not appear in a Premier League game from the start of this season until Amorim was sacked in January. Manager Michael Carrick quickly reinstated him into the starting XI and his impressive performances in the second half of the season ensured he was included in England’s 26-man squad for this summer’s World Cup.
According to a report in the Manchester Evening News, United have given Maynou a new five-year deal to secure his future at Old Trafford, but Amorim would have been forced to leave his boyhood club if he had stayed.
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Reflecting on the first half of the season, Mainu told England reporters in the US: “Obviously, there were some tough times. But I just focused on what was in front of me, took it one day at a time, kept honing my skills, kept working hard for the team, and I was hoping the rest would come. Thankfully, that’s what happened.”
Asked if Carrick deserved credit for being called up to the World Cup, he said: “I definitely told him I was very grateful, because if he hadn’t put me on the pitch I wouldn’t be here so I’ll always be grateful to him for that.”
Mainou expressed his excitement at Carrick’s appointment, adding: “We were very happy. Of course, personally within the team, we like the way he coaches and manages. I think everyone in the team agrees with that. When he officially took over, we were all very happy.”
Koby Mainu struggled to become a regular under Ruben Amorim (Image: PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
The young star believes England have what it takes to make a splash at the World Cup. “100 percent,” he said. “I think the whole team, the staff, everyone believes we can win. But it’s not easy. It’s something very special and something I’ve dreamed of and I’m sure all of our players have dreamed of since they were really young.”
“So to be able to come here and say I’m playing in the World Cup is incredible. I’ve always wanted to play in the World Cup all my life. It’s obviously different from the Euros because it’s the biggest tournament in the world, but I’m going to approach it the same way, with the goal of wanting to win.”
Mainoo started in the Euro 2024 final against Spain, but former England manager Gareth Southgate was full of praise throughout the tournament, insisting the Three Lions lacked Mainou’s talent in midfield.
The Stockport-born youngster offered a loan move to United in the final week of last summer’s transfer window. However, that request was refused, and Mainu continued to have difficulty gaining first-team opportunities until Amorim was sacked in January due to increased friction with the board.
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