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Exclusive
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Amorim has a 'personal problem' with Mainoo, claims ex-Man Utd star
Suraj Radia
- 16 Oct 2025 19:33 BST
- 4 min read
News
Kobbie Mainoo’s exclusion from Ruben Amorim’s team is down to a personal problem with the player according to a former Manchester United star.
Mainoo has yet to start a Premier League game this season, with only three players featuring in less minutes than him, which has led to speculation over the 20-year-old’s future at the club.
Current ETV
Kobbie Mainoo
M, DM (C)
Man Utd
Kobbie Mainoo
M, DM (C)
Man Utd
ETV Range
€55.1M - €67.4M
The situation led to Mainoo reportedly pushing to leave the club on loan before the transfer window closed but United blocked his exit despite interest from numerous teams across England and Europe.
Amorim has insisted that he believes in Mainoo and that the England international still has a role in his squad but former United defender Paul Parker believes there is a deeper reason behind the youngster’s exclusion.
“We have to ask why Mainoo hasn't been used in that midfield,' Parker told MyBettingSites.co.uk. “Somewhere along the line, because I've been looking at it, it has to be personal. It has to be personal and the truth has to be told somewhere. He doesn't like him or he doesn't like him as a player. It doesn't make any sense at all.
“You don't have to fall into the trap of playing a local boy because he's a local boy. But sometimes when you look at the quality of the player, he went to the Euros and played more football than he or fans expected and he did very well.”
Mainoo absence ‘just doesn’t make sense’ claims Parker
Mainoo’s current contract at Old Trafford expires in 2027 and he is believed to have rejected fresh terms in January, although United have an option to extend his deal for a further year.
The academy graduate broke into United’s side to much hype during the 2023/24 campaign under Erik ten Hag but he has featured less under Amorim despite his side’s struggles on the pitch.
“There's a talent there that's not being utilised,” Parker added. “It just doesn't make sense.
“Don't call every player elite but Mainoo is a very good player who can play in any position across the Man Utd midfield. He's a good runner, get him in and around the box. You ask him to sit in midfield and hold, he can do the job and fill space and stop passes from going through.
“If you ask him to bite, kick and scratch, that's not really him. Football's not like that anymore cause if it was Mainoo would have struggled a bit. In today's game, he's perfect.”
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