'Impossible challenge' - Ruben Amorim slammed for what he said about Man United forgotten man
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Credit: Imago
Harri Burton
Tue 9 September 2025 15:19, UK
Ruben Amorim is facing yet more criticism as Man United continue to struggle under his leadership at Old Trafford.
Amorim remains under pressure as Man United boss despite beating Burnley before the international break, with major clashes against Man City and Chelsea up next.
The former Sporting CP figure has won just 18 of his 46 matches in charge, but with a summer transfer window under his belt, he has now added Benjamin Sesko to the Man United squad, as well as Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha.
Not all was smooth sailing throughout the summer, though, as several stars sought exits before the transfer deadline, but one player failed to secure his move away from Old Trafford.
Credit: Imago
Amorim highlighted that Kobbie Mainoo was fighting Bruno Fernandes for a position on the pitch, hence his desire to leave on loan, and Mark Ogden has been left baffled by the remarks.
“I mean, he’s up against Bruno Fernandes, and that’s an impossible challenge, isn’t it?
Bruno Fernandes never gets injured, never gets suspended, and he’s United’s best player,” he said on ESPN FC (9 September).
“So, I thought that was a bit unfair by Amorim because he can play in different positions.
What we need to remember about Kobbie Mainoo is that he’s only 20.
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“He had a meteoric rise and was winning major trophies at the age of 18.
I think it’s a little bit unfair to bracket him with Bruno Fernandes because that’s a no-win situation.”
Amorim was open to letting Kobbie Mainoo leave before the deadline, with Conor Gallagher viewed as a replacement for the young talent, but both moves were blocked.
Alan Myers believes that Everton will have looked at signing Mainoo on loan for the 2025-26 campaign, though no real effort was made by the Toffees to secure his signature.
Several clubs in Europe also kept tabs on the midfielder’s situation, including Real Madrid and Napoli, as well as Premier League trio Tottenham, Aston Villa, and, as previously stated, David Moyes‘ side.
Instead, Mainoo remains low in the Red Devils’ pecking order, playing just 45 minutes of Premier League football this season, and his only start came in the Carabao Cup defeat to Grimsby Town.
It is unclear exactly what the plan for the midfielder is until the winter transfer window rolls around, but had he left on a season-long loan before, it would have benefited all parties.