Amorim sacking hands Kobbie Mainoo a Manchester United lifeline as Yorke urges no loan

Goal reports Manchester United's decision to sack Ruben Amorim has reopened first-team opportunities for midfielder Kobbie Mainoo and has effectively stalled reports that he was set for a January exit.

Mainoo had been frozen out after Amorim's arrival, with the Portuguese coach favouring a 3-4-2-1 system that marginalised the 20-year-old despite his rise under Erik ten Hag and performances at Euro 2024. Reports in December said Mainoo was seeking a loan to salvage his season and retain his international standing, and Napoli, led by Antonio Conte, were reportedly preparing a loan offer; the tactical mismatch under Amorim — who preferred more physical pivots to protect a back three — was cited as the primary issue.

Treble-winner Dwight Yorke told PokerScout he would advise Mainoo against going on loan, saying he never went on loan himself and that staying to fight for a place proves character. Amorim was dismissed a week ago, interim manager Darren Fletcher has taken temporary charge, and the club is moving quickly to appoint a caretaker until the end of the season, with Michael Carrick and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer emerging as frontrunners in the press; Carrick is said to understand the midfield role Mainoo occupies and would likely build around his passing range, giving Mainoo a chance to prove his exclusion was a tactical error rather than a reflection of his ability.

Key Topics

Sports, Kobbie Mainoo, Ruben Amorim, Dwight Yorke, Manchester United, Napoli