Ruben Amorim has held talks with Kobbie Mainoo this week after the Manchester United midfielder failed to secure a move away from Old Trafford, and challenged him to prove he deserves a starting place.
Mainoo asked to go out on loan after growing frustrated at his lack of first-team opportunities, but United refused to let him leave before the transfer deadline.
The 20-year-old played the second half of United’s 3-2 win over Burnley before the international break after Matheus Cunha and Mason Mount were injured, and is in contention to start Sunday’s Manchester derby with both his teammates ruled out.
Amorim has spoken to Mainoo about the situation and believes the England international can take his game to another level, insisting he is not the finished article.
‘Like a lot of guys, he wants to play more,’ said the United head coach. ‘I didn’t have a conversation with him before the window closed, but I did this week. Because I don’t want Kobbie Mainoo thinking I was having any conversation with him just to hold onto him.
‘I believe a lot in Kobbie, but some of you think that Kobbie Mainoo is already done. I think he can do so much better, he can improve in a lot.
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Ruben Amorim (right) is convinced that Kobbie Mainoo (left) is not the finished article right now
‘I think for some guys it is enough, but for him it is not enough. Maybe it’s not fair, but I think I’m helping Kobbie Mainoo and that’s it. He will have opportunities like the other guys.’
Mainoo became a regular under Erik ten Hag, but has been the odd man out in Amorim’s system.
The Portuguese coach warned last month that Mainoo is competing with captain Bruno Fernandes in midfield, although the injuries to Cunha and Mount could mean Fernandes switching to a No 10 role at the Etihad on Sunday.
‘The way I play is completely different from the last manager,’ added Amorim. ‘Kobbie was the only guy who calmed down the game. Now we have other players who can calm down the game.
‘We play a different game, and sometimes I expect more from Kobbie Mainoo – and I know that he can give that.
‘I think he needs to have the technical ability that he has, but he needs more pace. He needs to understand the position better. He needs to play in different speeds. Sometimes it’s lower. sometimes it’s faster, and I think he can improve on that.
‘All these things matter when you choose the team. Kobbie Mainoo is a very, very good player, but so is Bruno.
‘Then he has to beat Casemiro, he has to beat Manu (Ugarte). They are good players also. So I need to choose.’
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Mainoo sought a loan exit in the summer but that was denied and he must now fight for a place
City have lost back-back games coming into the 197th derby, but Amorim rejected the idea that Pep Guardiola has bigger problems than him.
‘No, you cannot compare,’ he said. ‘The guy is winning all the time. He can relax in not winning anymore.
‘I have to prove myself every day here and I feel that. To compare me with the situation of Guardiola? It’s just a joke.’
