Man Utd youngster Kobbie Mainoo netted a late winner to secure a 3-2 win against Liverpool in the Premier League.
Manchester United youngster Kobbie Mainoo described his spell out of the team during Ruben Amorim’s tenure as “difficult”. Mainoo slipped down the pecking order at United during Amorim’s time in charge.
Amorim could not find a way to fit Mainoo into his system, experimenting with him as a No.10 and as a striker, and he eventually pitted the academy graduate against Bruno Fernandes in a deeper midfield role.
Mainoo submitted a request to leave on loan in the final week of last summer’s transfer window. However, the request was denied, and he continued to struggle for game time until Amorim was sacked amid rising tensions with the board in January.
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Michael Carrick reinstated Mainoo to the starting team as one of his first acts following his appointment. The Stockport-born youngster has since been key in United’s success, and he scored the winner against Liverpool on Sunday afternoon to officially secure a return to the Champions League.
After the Liverpool win, Mainoo was asked what he thought about his situation under Amorim. “It was difficult, of course, anytime you’re not playing football,” he told Sky Sports. “I just tried to look forward as much as possible and to keep my head down.”
The midfielder praised Carrick, adding: “He’s played a huge part in it, all the confidence he gives all the players. You want to follow him and fight for him and die for him on the pitch.”
Mainoo also discussed the team’s performance: “Happy to turn it [the season] around, it’s a credit to all our players and the manager as well. We still need to finish the season strong, this is not enough for us.
“It’s never an easy game against Liverpool, glad to come out with a win. Liverpool are a good side, we didn’t come out as sharp as we should have but we came away with a win.
“It was a huge goal for us to get Champions League, but the season isn’t over yet, we’re not letting our foot off the gas.”
Mainoo’s new contract was announced a few days before the Liverpool game. The youngster was among the lowest earners in United’s dressing room, having last signed a contract at 17, but he has been rewarded with improved terms to tie him down for another five years.
The midfielder’s contract situation at Old Trafford had rumbled on for a while. In 2024, Mainoo was close to signing a new deal, but talks stalled and hit a more significant snag when Amorim was appointed.
“It’s a blessing, happy to commit my future to the club I’ve been at all my life,” said Mainoo of his new deal.
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