Kobbie Mainoo left on the bench as Man United suffer Europa League heartbreak – doubts grow over his future under Amorim
The 19-year-old was left on the bench for most of the Europa League final despite his recent heroics – and now doubts are growing over his role under incoming boss Ruben Amorim.
Manchester United’s Europa League journey ended in disaster as they suffered a painful defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the final — and fans were left stunned by the decision to only bring on Kobbie Mainoo in the 90th minute.
The 19-year-old midfielder, who had previously scored the winning goal and delivered a Man of the Match display in another cup final, was barely given a chance to make an impact this time.
United’s performance was nothing short of a disaster. Sloppy defending in the first half gave Spurs an easy lead, and from that point on, the Red Devils never looked like getting back into the game.
Despite Tottenham’s well-known struggles at the back, United couldn’t find the back of the net in 90 minutes. Amad Diallo showed some promise early on, but faded after the break. Bruno Fernandes, the captain, had an off night — and without him pulling the strings, United lacked any real attacking threat.
Supporters were especially puzzled to see Kobbie Mainoo sitting on the bench until the final minutes. This is the same teenager who not long ago was being talked about as one of the most exciting young players in the world.
Mainoo had been a standout in United’s earlier cup win, so giving him just two minutes at the end of such a massive game raised eyebrows. Was it a tactical call? Or does it point to a deeper issue with his role under new boss Rúben Amorim?
According to talkSPORT, sources close to Mainoo say he wants to stay at Manchester United, but he’s unsure about where he fits in Amorim’s plans. The new manager believes Mainoo is better suited to playing higher up the pitch as a No.10, but most of the teenager’s best performances have come from a deeper midfield role.
To make matters more complicated, Mainoo hasn’t looked quite the same physically this season. Some observers wonder whether playing him so regularly at just 18 years old may have taken a toll on his development.
Manchester United need to be careful here. Letting a talent like Mainoo fall through the cracks would be a massive mistake. Even in a difficult season, his potential has still been clear to see.
If Amorim wants to get the best out of his young midfielder, it starts with putting him in the right role — and giving him the minutes to grow. Mainoo is known for turning past opponents and driving into space, which is something United have badly lacked in deeper midfield this season.
With a full summer to get him back to full fitness, Mainoo could still be a key part of United’s rebuild — but only if Amorim is ready to trust and properly use the young star.
