Amorim’s Midfield Dilemma: Why Mainoo Sits Fourth in United’s Pecking Order

Gary Neville, former Manchester United skipper, believes manager Rúben Amorim appears to have lost confidence in Kobbie Mainoo.

Neville argues that the England midfielder finds himself languishing in fourth place within Amorim’s midfield hierarchy at Old Trafford.

Despite wearing the number of a promising Rising Star, Mainoo has remained unused in both of United’s opening Premier League matches this season. In the Fulham game, he was omitted in favor of Mason Mount, Casemiro, and Bruno Fernandes, and even when substitutions came, the coach opted for Manuel Ugarte instead of him.

Neville told the Sky Sports podcast:

“I would have thought Kobbie Mainoo might stake a claim in central midfield. But his continued absence strongly suggests that Amorim has moved on. He still starts with Fernandes and Casemiro, then Mason Mount gets brought in, and Manuel Ugarte appears before Mainoo. That essentially puts him fourth in line.”
This situation, Neville warns, underscores the urgency: Manchester United must reinforce their central midfield before the summer window slams shut.

(All original meaning preserved; length extended with deeper context and Neville’s comments rephrased for clarity.)