Ruben Amorim's selection promise will please Kobbie Mainoo ahead of Man City clash
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Charlie Grace
Fri 12 September 2025 16:08, UK
Kobbie Mainoo has seen his game time dwindle so far this season, but Ruben Amorim has issued a promise that means that may soon change.
Amorim has been criticised for his usage of Mainoo this season, with the academy graduate yet to make a start in the Premier League this season.
Mainoo had been the subject of much interest in the summer transfer window, with several clubs looking into the 20-year-old’s situation at Old Trafford.
Manchester United were unwilling to let Mainoo leave, despite the England international’s wish to explore a loan move late in the transfer window.
Credit: Imago
In a week where promises have been reportedly broken with Andre Onana, Amorim has now issued a fresh promise regarding his team selection.
In his press conference Amorim said: “I don’t want to be the guy that broke that record [Man United naming an academy graduate in every match day squad since 1937].
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“If you see the past of Manchester United, it’s built on kids that grew up here and stayed here for a long time.
So I will try to maintain that.”
Credit: Imago
This is good news for academy graduates, like Mainoo, who have seen their opportunities with the first team stagnate in recent months.
Amorim’s midfield balance has been a cause for concern in United’s opening three Premier League matches, with Fulham exploiting the midfield imbalances on numerous occasions in their 1-1 draw.
While Amorim likes his midfielders to have an expansive passing range, he also needs them to eat up large portions of ground throughout a match.
Bruno FernandesCasemiroLong pass completion percentage56.966.7Progressive passes per 907.334.29Key passes121Passes into final 1/3185Tackles + interceptions88Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro’s stats through the first three games of the Premier League season (FBref)
With Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro as the Portuguese head coach’s first choice pairing, United’s midifield lacks legs and positional discipline in rest defence.