Kobbie Mainoo’s future at Manchester United looks uncertain after manager Ruben Amorim admitted the midfielder is battling captain Bruno Fernandes for a place in the starting XI.
The 20-year-old England international has yet to feature this season, sitting out United’s opening-day defeat to Arsenal and Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Fulham. Despite United pushing for a winner at Craven Cottage, Amorim overlooked Mainoo, instead shuffling Mason Mount into midfield before later bringing on Manuel Ugarte, Harry Maguire, and Ayden Heaven.
Fernandes, who missed a first-half penalty against Fulham, remains a guaranteed starter under Amorim, leaving Mainoo’s immediate prospects limited to a potential Carabao Cup outing against Grimsby on Wednesday.
“He is fighting for the position now with Bruno,” Amorim said. “I changed two midfielders. I like Mason Mount there because we wanted to score. Later, I felt the team needed one holding midfielder. So he just needs to fight for the position with Bruno in training — like it should be at Manchester United.”