Harry Maguire has said Kobbie Mainoo would have probably been shifted on if Ruben Amorim had stayed in charge at Manchester United. Mainoo did not start a Premier League match until Amorim was sacked in January, and he was used up front in a home defeat to Crystal Palace in February 2025. It is a sharp claim, but it sits on top of a season that looked awkward for the midfielder before he fought his way back.
Maguire's case for a near-exit
Maguire's explanation was blunt. He said Amorim wanted Bruno Fernandes as one of two central midfielders, with a more defensive player beside him, and that Mainoo was young, inexperienced and did not know the position as well.
"If Ruben was still the manager now, Kobbie would have probably been shifted on and be looking for a new club," Maguire said. He added that it would have been a mistake, because Mainoo is a Manchester lad who has come through the academy.
The other detail that makes the story harder to brush aside is Mainoo's loan request in the final week of last summer's transfer window. United rejected it. At that point, the fit was not working and the pathway into the side looked narrow.
Mainoo's response after the difficult spell
Mainoo's own comments give the other side of the picture. "I mean, obviously there were difficult times but I tried to keep my focus on what was in front of me, take things day by day and just keep working my craft," he said. "Thankfully it has."
That patience was matched by a stronger end to the season at Manchester United. Maguire said Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes were among United's best players over the last couple of months of the campaign, and the team finished third in the Premier League with 20 wins from 38 league matches, plus a +19 goal difference.
Mainoo's recent numbers line up with that late lift. He averaged 92.3 minutes across his last 10 league matches and 7.1 for his average rating in that run, which is the profile of a player trusted to start, not one hanging around on the edges. Maguire's praise for his ball carrying and physical level reflects that change, and Mainoo's own point about working through the hard patch fits the same picture.
Mainoo also said of Michael Carrick, "I love the way he coaches and manages me personally in the team as well." Carrick restored him quickly, and Mainoo responded with a better spell. The open question now is not whether he has enough talent, because he clearly does. It is whether United keep using him in the role that lets him stay in the team for the long run.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 2 outlets. How we work →