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Ruben Amorim torn apart after ‘mind-blowing’ Man Utd issue addressed by Michael Carrick
Ruben Amorim is still being subjected to criticism over a month since his sacking from Manchester United
Ruben Amorim has been slammed for demoting Kobbie Mainoo who has since flourished under Michael Carrick. The Manchester United star has played a key part in the club’s renaissance under the former Red Devils midfielder who has led the side to four wins in his first five games in charge.
Since the interim appointment of Carrick, 44, last month following Amorim’s sacking, the ex-England ace has returned Mainoo to the starting line-up, with the star having previous played just 228 minutes of league football under the Portuguese boss this season.
Earning his first league start of the campaign – and first since May 2025 – in United’s clash against Manchester City in January, the 20-year-old was one of the best players on the pitch. His lack of action prior to Carrick’s arrival was already questioned by portions of the fanbase who were even more baffled upon being reminded of just how talented the England star is.
That confusion was shared by former players and pundits as Owen Hargreaves lambasted Amorim’s decision to not only play players in unnatural positions but to leave a talent like Mainoo consistently on the bench.
“He’s [Carrick] changed the whole team and everybody’s in their natural position and they’re performing, it’s not rocket science,” Hargreaves said on The Breakdown. “Put Bruno [Fernandes] in as a 10 and let him go create.
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“How Kobbie [Mainoo] hasn’t played football for a year is mind-blowing. [He’s] one of the best young talents in the world of football and for a kid not to play for a year and to come in to play against City and Arsenal and basically run the games is a testament [to him].
“Carrick right now has been flawless, he hasn’t gotten one thing wrong and I’m delighted for him because the fans have really suffered and it feels like Old Trafford is back. The fans are happy and most importantly, they’re winning. That’s what all this is about is winning. When you’re winning, it fixes a lot of things.”
Echoing Hargreaves’ praise of Carrick, Joe Cole claimed Mainoo’s instant return to form under his former West Ham team-mate makes Amorim look “so stubborn”. “I know him very well, my roommate at West Ham,” Cole said.
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“We [came] through the youth teams together. What people don’t know about Carrick is that he’s very elegant but there’s a ruthlessness to him as well. He’s one of them guys that’ll sit and watch, a mad and quiet competitor.
“But there’s a ruthlessness to him that I think you need in management. When you first have impressions, ‘would he be a manager, would he go into that’, probably no but when you sit back and think about how intense he can be in his preparation and he’s meticulous, I think he’s done a great job.
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“Owen’s right. Kobbie Mainoo coming in is doubly bad for Amorim because it makes him look so stubborn that this kid hasn’t played for a year. Good players can play in any system, they’ll find a way and Mainoo has been outstanding, he’s run those two games.”
Currently on a nine-match unbeaten league streak – with five of those coming under Carrick – United have the opportunity to stretch that to double digits when they travel to face Everton on Monday.
Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games this season, an increase of up to 100 more.